beat a hasty retreat

present singular third person beats a hasty retreat · participle present beating a hasty retreat · participle past beaten a hasty retreat

1. To leave as quickly as possible.

   After apologizing profusely, I beat a hasty retreat.

   2012, H.H. Kothe, Grandpa Was a Sailor, page 56

   4 more examples

   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...

   1827, The Times

   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.

   2003, Mike Hollywood, Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook, page 100

   I caught a glimpse of him beating a hasty retreat through a smaller doorway that I hadn't seen before.

   2012, Allison Pang, A Sliver of Shadow

   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!

   2013, John O'Loughlin, Fixed Limits