beat a (hasty) retreat
1beat a hasty retreat — beat a (hasty) retreat ► to decide not to continue with something that has become too difficult or not worth doing: »Most of the market beat a hasty retreat, investors being unimpressed by a volatile performance on Wall Street. beat a retreat… …
2beat a hasty retreat — beat a (hasty) retreat to quickly leave. When the cold grows overwhelming, visitors can beat a retreat to Joe Mulligan s warm bar and restaurant. Etymology: based on the military meaning of beat a retreat (= to drum a signal to soldiers that they …
3beat a (hasty) retreat — withdraw. → beat …
4beat a hasty retreat — Someone who beats a (hasty) retreat runs away or goes back hurriedly to avoid a dangerous or difficult situation. The thief beat a hasty retreat as soon as he saw the security officer …
5beat a hasty retreat — run away from, leave quickly When the boys heard the siren they beat a hasty retreat …
6beat a (hasty) retreat — beat a (hasty) reˈtreat idiom to go away or back quickly, especially to avoid sth unpleasant Main entry: ↑beatidiom …
7beat a hasty retreat — beat a retreat See retreat 1. 1) …
8beat a (hasty) retreat. — See retreat verb sense 1. → beat …
9beat a hasty retreat — v. leave rapidly, withdraw quickly …
10beat a retreat — beat a (hasty) retreat ► to decide not to continue with something that has become too difficult or not worth doing: »Most of the market beat a hasty retreat, investors being unimpressed by a volatile performance on Wall Street. beat a retreat… …
