collocations.org

Collocations for retreat - noun

1. retreating/leaving

ADJ.

hasty, headlong, rapid
I decided to beat a hasty retreat.
humiliating, ignominious, undignified | dignified, orderly, strategic, tactful, tactical
I made a tactful retreat before they started arguing.

VERB + RETREAT

beat, make | lead | order, sound | force/send/throw sb into
Eventually the police forced the crowd into retreat.
block, cut off | cover
We covered his retreat with bursts of gunfire.

PREP.

in ~
The enemy was now in retreat.
on the ~
fresh evidence that trade unionism is on the retreat
~ from
He took part in the retreat from Paris.
~ into
her retreat into a fantasy world of her own
~ to
an ignominious retreat to the River Vistula

PHRASES

be in full retreat
On the eastern front the army was in full retreat.
a line of retreat
We succeeded in cutting off the enemy''s line of retreat.

2. quiet and private place

ADJ.

favourite, perfect
the perfect retreat for a romantic honeymoon
private, secret | peaceful | country, rural
designed as a gentleman''s country retreat
summer, winter | holiday, weekend

VERB + RETREAT

turn sth into, use sth as
She plans to use it as a winter retreat.
go into
He went into retreat at his country home to escape the attention of the media.

PREP.

~ for
a summer retreat for the rich
~ from
staying here at his secret retreat from life in the busy city

3. private time at a quiet place

ADJ.

religious, spiritual

VERB + RETREAT

go on
She goes on a spiritual retreat for two weeks every summer.

Collocations for retreat - verb

ADV.

hastily, quickly, rapidly, swiftly | further | back
He retreated hastily back to his car.

VERB + RETREAT

try to | order sb to
The army was ordered to retreat.

PREP.

before
They retreated before the Americans.
behind
He retreated behind the table.
from, in the face of
He retreated in the face of strong opposition.
into
He retreated into his own world.
to
She retreated from the busy office to her own room.

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