Asked in: SSC CPO 2022 T-1 · SSC CPO 2019 T-2
beat a retreat in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CPO 2019 T-2 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
When the miscreants saw the police they b̲e̲a̲t̲ ̲a̲ ̲r̲e̲t̲r̲e̲a̲t̲.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) ran away
✅ Correct Answer: Option C (ran away)
Type: Idiom
"beat a retreat" = to run away / withdraw quickly (पीछे हटना, भाग जाना).
Application
"When the miscreants saw the police they beat a retreat" = they ran away.
Why the others are wrong
• protested strongly / attacked fiercely / marched ahead – opposite of "withdrawing". - SSC CPO 2022 T-1 Idioms & Phrases
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To beat a retreatAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) To leave a situation
Answer: 2 – To leave a situation
Solution (Correct Option – 2: To leave a situation):
The idiom “to beat a retreat” means to withdraw from a situation quickly, often because it is difficult, dangerous, or no longer favourable. It originates from a military command to retreat from battle.
To beat a retreat – पीछे हटना / किसी स्थिति से जल्दी निकल जाना
Why other options are incorrect:
• To face a situation – Opposite in meaning
• To make a situation – Incorrect expression
• To solve a situation – Unrelated meaning
Hence, the correct meaning of “to beat a retreat” is “to leave a situation.”
beat a retreat – questions
Has beat a retreat been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – beat a retreat has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC CPO 2022 T-1, SSC CPO 2019 T-2.