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beat a retreat. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
beat a retreat, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
beat a retreat in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
beat a retreat you have here. The definition of the word
beat a retreat will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
beat a retreat, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
See beat (“to signal beating a drum”).
Verb
beat a retreat (third-person singular simple present beats a retreat, present participle beating a retreat, simple past beat a retreat, past participle beaten a retreat)
- (informal) To leave hastily in the face of opposition.
Usage notes
retreat can be qualified by an adjective: to beat a hasty retreat.
Related terms
References