abandon something (speedily)
to leave a place because it is dangerous or unpleasant
to withdraw oneself from a situation (usually a negative one)
beat a hasty retreat
runoff
run away
head off
flee
escape
Once I realized that John was going to be at the party, I beat a hasty retreat.
After spotting my ex-boss in the restaurant, I beat a hasty retreat.
My wife seems to be in a very bad mood today. I am going to beat a hasty retreat before I make it worse.
The courier boy beat a hasty retreat when he heard the dog’s furious barking from the back of the house.
There is no origin for this idiom
Was this page helpful?
definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.