Определение и Значение "[make|beat] a (hasty|) retreat"

What is the origin of the idiom "make a retreat" and when to use it?

The idiom "make a retreat" originates from military terminology, where it refers to the strategic withdrawal of forces from a battlefield or combat zone. This expression is commonly used in a broader sense to describe anyone who chooses to step back or withdraw from an unfavorable or uncomfortable position.