RETREAT

[verb] [I] - to go away from a person or place, esp. because unwilling to fight any more; to withdrawAttacks by enemy aircraft forced the tanks to retreat (from the city).When she came towards me shouting, I retreated (behind my desk).(figurative) I retreated to a place in the mountains to put my thoughts on paper.(figurative) When he's afraid he retreats under the blankets/to his bedroom/into himself/into a fantasy world.(figurative) The government is retreating from (= failing to keep to) its principles/beliefs/promises.