The act of taking back or withdrawing (a statement, a plea, an accusation, or a condition of a contract); the withdrawing or taking back of a renunciation. See also renunciation. retreat (duty to), rule retreat (duty to), rule n. A doctrine in criminal law found in some jurisdictions requiring that, unless at home, at his or her place of business, or in a situation where the assailant is a person the victim is attempting to arrest, the victim in a murderous assault must attempt to retreat saf...