Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
When the miscreants saw the police they beat a retreat.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. ran away.
- "Beat a retreat" means to withdraw or flee from a situation, often quickly and in a disorganized manner.
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The sentence indicates that the miscreants left the scene hurriedly upon seeing the police, which matches the meaning of "beat a retreat."
So, "ran away" accurately reflects the meaning of "beat a retreat."