beat a (hasty) retreat

to quickly leave.

When the cold grows overwhelming, visitors can beat a retreat to Joe Mulligan's warm bar and restaurant.

Etymology: based on the military meaning of beat a retreat (= to drum a signal to soldiers that they are to move back from a fight, usually one they have lost)

• have your head screwed on the right way
• have your head stuck up arse
• have your head stuck up your arse
• have your head up arse
• have your head up your arse
• have your heart set on
• have your heart set on doing something
• have your heart set on something
• have your knife into
• have your knife into someone
• have your mind on
• have your mind on something
• have your moments
• have your name in lights
• have your nose in a book
• have your nose in the air
• have your pick of
• have your pick of something
• have your share of
• have your share of something
• have your sights set on
• have your sights set on doing something
• have your sights set on something
• have your wicked way with
• have your wicked way with someone