to beat a gong as a signal for troops to withdraw; by extension, to call off a battle or finish a task or project

to beat the gong to recall troops; to signal a military retreat

(idiom) to give signals for advancing and retreating; to urge people on or call them back

to beat the drum and sound the gong, used as a signal to order an advance or retreat

To beat gongs and drums to signal soldiers to retreat or advance; more generally, to make a lot of noise to boost morale or show off one's strength.