beat a retreat

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Also, beat a hasty retreat . Reverse course or withdraw, usually quickly. For example, I really don't want to run into Jeff—let's beat a retreat . This term originally (1300s) referred to the military practice of sounding drums to call back troops. Today it is used only figuratively, as in the example above.

Word of the Day

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse