duty to retreat

[ doo-tee tuhri-treet, dyoo-tee ]

/ ˈdu ti tə rɪˈtrit, ˈdyu ti /

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noun Law.

a legal principle that requires a person as a first response to back away or flee from a threatening situation rather than attempt self-defense by deadly force: Duty to retreat has always been a debatable doctrine.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare stand your ground.

Origin of duty to retreat

First recorded in 1780–90

Words nearby duty to retreat

duty, duty-bound, duty-free, duty-free shop, duty officer, duty to retreat, duumvir, duumvirate, Duvalier, Duve, Duveneck