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beat a hasty retreat. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
beat a hasty retreat, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
beat a hasty retreat in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
Originally a military term, referring to the pace set by drummers in the British army.
Verb
beat a hasty retreat (third-person singular simple present beats a hasty retreat, present participle beating a hasty retreat, simple past beat a hasty retreat, past participle beaten a hasty retreat)
- To leave as quickly as possible.
1827, The Times:A few nights ago, a fair trader had commenced unloading her cargo, consisting of light goods, in the Pent, but in the midst of the operation was discovered by the Philistines, and obliged to beat a hasty retreat across the rope-walk to the sea...
2003, Mike Hollywood, Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook, page 100:I found not a sole around and beat a hasty retreat, but before leaving I took a look around and was impressed by the location and proximity of the lagoon.
2012, H.H. Kothe, Grandpa Was a Sailor, page 56:After apologizing profusely, I beat a hasty retreat.
2012, Allison Pang, A Sliver of Shadow:I caught a glimpse of him beating a hasty retreat through a smaller doorway that I hadn't seen before.
2013, John O'Loughlin, Fixed Limits:Then I suddenly woke up with a start and discovered that I was in an empty room. The mysterious stranger had evidently beat a hasty retreat!