ils battent

retreat, fall back, be in full swing, flap

b a t → battre

batt beat, defeat + ent they present / subjunctive

verb · 3rd-person plural, present tense Rare #37,163

retreat, fall back

FR: Les soldats battent en retraite.

EN: The soldiers retreat.

be in full swing

FR: Les préparatifs battent leur plein.

EN: The preparations are in full swing.

flap

FR: Les oiseaux battent des ailes.

EN: The birds flap their wings.

Conjugation of battre

Indicative present

	Singular	Plural
First	bats	battons
Second	bats	battez
Third	bat	battent

Subjunctive present

	Singular	Plural
First	batte	—
Third	batte	battent

Mes enfants battent le blé.

My children are threshing the wheat.

Ils battent en retraite !

They are retreating!

— À l'ouest rien de nouveau (2022)

Ils battent en retraite.

They retreat.

Ces porcs battent en retraite.

These pigs are retreating.

— Les Faussaires (2007)

Les préparatifs battent leur plein.

Preparations are in full swing.

Les oiseaux battent des ailes pour voler.

Birds flap their wings to fly.

Elles viennent de Balali et elles battent des garçons.

They come from Balali and they beat boys.

— Dangal (2016)

Les négociations battent leur plein.

Negotiations are in full swing.

Nos cœurs battent dans les entrailles du monde.

Our hearts beat in the bowels of the world.

— Avatar : La Voie de l'eau (2022)