retreat

Everyday

1. To move back or away, especially from danger or an enemy. tree →
2. (noun) The act of moving back. tree →
3. (noun) A quiet place where you go to rest or be alone. tree →
4. To change your mind and stop saying or doing something: retreat from a promise. tree →
5. (noun) A short stay away from normal life for rest, prayer or planning. tree →

In the lessons

In history and stories an army retreats when it is losing. In science and geography glaciers and tides retreat (move back). In everyday life a retreat can be a cosy hideaway. Phrases: beat a retreat, in full retreat, a weekend retreat.

Examples

• The soldiers retreated behind the hill. tree →
• The tide retreats twice a day. tree →
• The cat retreated under the bed during the storm. tree →
• The tree house is my secret retreat. tree →
• The glacier has retreated a long way. tree →
• When the dog barked, we beat a hasty retreat. tree →
• The teachers went on a planning retreat. tree →
• And he pretended to retreat, turning away the head of his horse. tree →

Note

Opposite of advance. Regular verb: retreated. In maths and physics problems, an object that retreats moves backwards, so its distance from the start gets smaller.