ph.

1. When they saw the teacher coming, they beat a hasty retreat.
    他们看到老师来了，就赶紧躲开。

1. 撤退：beastly 残忍的 | beat a retreat 撤退 | beat about the bush 旁敲侧击

2. 溜之大吉：be ablazed with 闪闪发光 | beat a retreat 溜之大吉 | beat around the bush 拐弯抹角

3. 撤退, 放弃：beat a dead horse || 重提早已解决了的问题 炒冷饭 白费口舌 浪费精力 | beat a retreat || 撤退, 放弃 | beat about the bush || 打草拨丛寻觅猎物 转弯抹角地谈话, 旁敲侧击

4. 败退;逃离：demographer: n. 人口统计学家 | beat a retreat: 败退;逃离 | predecessor: n. 前辈

verb

1. depart hastily