beat a retreat

beat a retreat  {v. phr.}
1. To give a signal, esp. by beating a drum, to go back.
The Redcoats' drums were beating a retreat.
2. To run away.
They beat a retreat when they saw that they were too few.
The cat beat a hasty retreat when he saw the dog coming.
Compare: BACK DOWN, FALL BACK.
Categories: verb