beating a retreat (Meaning)

beating a retreat

a single stroke or blow especially in a series, to flap against, baffle entry 1 sense 1, to make by walking or riding over, to win against, to become forcefully propelled forward, an act of sailing toward the side or direction from which the wind is blowing by a series of zigzag movements, to hurry away, to flatten thin by blows, to prevail despite, to sound upon being struck, to progress with much difficulty, one that excels, having lost one's morale, a stroke or blow especially in a series, a metrical or rhythmic stress in poetry or music or the rhythmic effect of these stresses, being tired out, to outmaneuver (a defender) and get free, to glare or strike with oppressive intensity, pulsate, throb, bewilder, baffle, being in a state of exhaustion, hurry, rush, sapped of resolution or morale, to measure or mark off by strokes, to act ahead of, to walk on, to drive or force by blows, circumvent, to hit again and again, a rhythmic stress in poetry or music, to make by repeated treading or driving over, the reporting of a news story ahead of competitors, to strike bushes or other cover in order to rouse game, the pronounced rhythm (see rhythm sense 2b) that is the characteristic driving force in some types of music (such as jazz or rock), to range or scour for or as if for game, to report a news item in advance of, to strike at in order to rouse game, beatnik, to fail or refuse to come to the point in discourse, to proclaim as meritorious or significant, a driving impact or force, to pound into a powder, paste, or pulp, to glare or strike harshly, to act ahead of usually so as to forestall, to come or arrive before, moment, to strike the air, rock entry 2 sense 2, to arrive before, a place or area regularly visited in the course of work or duty, to shape by blows, one of the reaches (see reach entry 2 sense 1) in the zigzag course so traversed, to produce (music or a signal) by striking something repeatedly, to strike repeated blows, to strike directly against forcefully and repeatedly, to attack physically or verbally, a sound produced by or as if by beating (see beat entry 1), to cause to strike or flap repeatedly, to flap or thrash at vigorously, to strike a drum repeatedly, to try intently to resolve something difficult by thinking, a group of news sources that a reporter covers regularly, to hit repeatedly so as to inflict pain, overcome, defeat, to mix by stirring, rhythm sense 2, to dislodge by repeated hitting, to sound or express especially by drumbeat, each of the pulsations of amplitude (see amplitude sense 1a) produced by the union of sound or radio waves or electric currents having different frequencies, to leave in haste, a single stroke or pulsation (as of the heart), fatigue, exhaust, a regularly traversed round (see round entry 3 sense 6a), cheat, swindle, of, relating to, or being beatniks, a sound produced by or as if by beating, to search thoroughly through all possible areas, tick, to sail to windward by a series of zigzag movements, to sustain distracting activity, to lodge securely by repeated striking, surpass, to shape by beating, to range over in or as if in quest of game, surpass sense 1, an accented stroke (as of one leg or foot against the other), one swing of the pendulum or balance (see balance entry 1 sense 9) of a timepiece, the tempo indicated (as by a conductor) to a musical performer, to defeat or surpass overwhelmingly, to leave dispirited, irresolute, or hopeless, pulsation, tick, deadbeat, in a very energetic or forceful manner, pulsation, to have difficulty in continuing, to score against (a goalkeeper), to strike repeatedly, to strike repeatedly in order to produce music or a signal, the tempo given to a musical performer, to escape or evade the penalties connected with an accusation or charge

Synonyms & Antonyms of beating a retreat

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beating a retreat Sentence Examples

The invading army was forced to beat a hasty retreat due to overwhelming resistance.
The thunderstorm forced the hikers to beat a strategic retreat to shelter.
The police officers beat a cautious retreat from the volatile scene, fearing for their safety.
The losing team beat a disheartened retreat off the field, heads hung low.
The politician beat a temporary retreat from the public eye after a damaging scandal.
The students beat a reluctant retreat from the library, the day's studying complete.
The tornado caused widespread devastation, forcing residents to beat a rapid retreat to safety.
The athlete beat a painful retreat from the race, unable to endure the agony.
The protesters beat a peaceful retreat from the rally, their message delivered.
The animals beat a hasty retreat from the hunter's approach, sensing impending danger.

FAQs About the word beating a retreat

a single stroke or blow especially in a series, to flap against, baffle entry 1 sense 1, to make by walking or riding over, to win against, to become forcefully

flying, beating it,retreating, running, bolting, escaping, bugging out, turning tail, running away, fleeing

daring, defying,facing, confronting, hanging around, remaining, bearding, sticking around, staying, lingering

The invading army was forced to beat a hasty retreat due to overwhelming resistance.

The thunderstorm forced the hikers to beat a strategic retreat to shelter.

The police officers beat a cautious retreat from the volatile scene, fearing for their safety.

The losing team beat a disheartened retreat off the field, heads hung low.

beating a retreat (Meaning)