beat a hasty retreat

verb

Etymology

Originally a military term, referring to the pace set by drummers in the British army.

Definitions

  1. To leave as quickly as possible.

    • 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.
    • After apologizing profusely, I beat a hasty retreat.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA