beat a (hasty) retreat
21retreat — [[t]rɪtri͟ːt[/t]] ♦♦♦ retreats, retreating, retreated 1) VERB If you retreat, you move away from something or someone. [V prep] I ve already got a job, I said quickly, and retreated from the room... [V ing] The young nurse pulled a face at the… …
22retreat — 1 verb (I) 1 MOVE BACK a) to walk back and away from someone or something because you are afraid or embarrassed: He saw her and retreated, too shy to speak to her. (+ to/from etc): Perry lit the fuse and retreated to a safe distance. b) if an… …
23retreat — 1. verb 1) the army retreated Syn: withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground, beat a retreat, beat a hasty retreat Ant: advance 2) the tide was retreating …
24beat a retreat — {v. phr.} 1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a drum, to go back. * /The Redcoats drums were beating a retreat./ 2. To run away. * /They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too few./ * /The cat beat a hasty retreat when he saw the dog… …
25beat a retreat — {v. phr.} 1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a drum, to go back. * /The Redcoats drums were beating a retreat./ 2. To run away. * /They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too few./ * /The cat beat a hasty retreat when he saw the dog… …
26beat\ a\ retreat — v. phr. 1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a drum, to go back. The Redcoats drums were beating a retreat. 2. To run away. They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too few. The cat beat a hasty retreat when he saw the dog coming. Compare …
27beat a retreat — to leave a place because it is dangerous or unpleasant. When the cold grows overwhelming, visitors can beat a retreat to Joe Mulligan s warm saloon. When we saw the police arriving we beat a hasty retreat …
28beat — verb (past beat; past participle beaten) 1》 strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or punish them. ↘strike repeatedly so as to make a noise. ↘flatten or shape (metal) by striking it repeatedly with a hammer …
29beat — 1. verb 1) they were beaten with truncheons Syn: hit, strike, batter, thump, bang, hammer, punch, knock, thrash, pound, pummel, slap, smack, rain blows on; assault, attack, abuse; cudge …
30beat a retreat — See beat a hasty retreat …
