Beat a Retreat: The Phrase Came From an Actual Drum
A retreat is a withdrawal, and also a quiet place for reflection. The phrase about beating one comes from the drum signal that ordered it.
A retreat is a withdrawal from a difficult position, and also a period of quiet withdrawal for reflection. *Beat a retreat* is literal history: the signal to withdraw was beaten on drums, and the ceremony of Beating Retreat still survives in the British armed forces.
- A withdrawal. *An orderly retreat.*
- A quiet place or period. *A writing retreat.*
- To withdraw. *The troops retreated.*
- Beat a retreat — leave hurriedly. *He beat a hasty retreat.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | retreat | A tactical retreat. |
| Plural | retreats | Weekend retreats. |
| Verb | retreat | Retreat to the hills. |
| Past | retreated | They retreated. |
| Related | withdrawal | A phased withdrawal. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The retreat was orderly and complete.Military.
- She goes on a silent retreat each spring.Reflection.
- He beat a hasty retreat when he saw the queue.Everyday, and slightly comic.
Withdrawal words
- Retreat — pulling back from a position
- Withdrawal — the neutral, formal term
- Rout — a disorderly and total collapse
- Rearguard action — fighting while retreating
- Strategic withdrawal — a retreat described favourably
From Old French *retret*, from Latin *retrahere*, to draw back, from *re-* and *trahere*, to pull — the same verb as in *tractor*, *attract* and *extract*.
Where does *beat a retreat* come from?
From the drum signal that ordered troops to withdraw. Beating Retreat is still performed as a military ceremony.
Retreat or withdrawal?
They mean the same, but retreat sounds like a defeat and withdrawal sounds like a decision. Armies prefer the second.