The noisy crowd arrived, so we beat a retreat.
beat a retreat
idiomTo leave hastily in the face of opposition.
Origin
disputed originSee beat (“to signal beating a drum”).
When the boss started asking difficult questions about the budget, the manager quickly beat a retreat to his office.
Realizing that their argument was becoming increasingly irrational, he decided to beat a retreat before the situation escalated into an open confrontation.
- 01
beat a dead horse
To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
- 02
beat around the bush
To treat a topic, but omit its main points, often intentionally.
- 03
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 04
beat Banaghan
To tell wonderful stories, or something which is amazing and remarkable.
- 05
beat feet
To run.
- 06
beat it
To leave; to go away.
- 07
beat off
To masturbate by stimulating one's own penis.
- 08
beat off with a stick
To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).