escape
escape — verb
1. to break free from confinement, whether a jail, cage, locked room, or any locati
to break free from confinement, whether a jail, cage, locked room, or any location where someone or something has kept you trapped.
João escaped from the prison by digging a tunnel under the wall.
escape + from + [place of confinement]
The bird escaped its cage when Sofie left the door open.
escape + noun phrase (direct object — cage/prison)
Hamza and his brother escaped from the soldiers who had taken them.
A small dog escaped from the garden and ran into the street.
The prisoners tried to escape at night while the guards were asleep.
try to escape / attempt to escape
- escape from prison
- escape from a cage
- escape captivity
- attempt to escape
- narrowly escape
- be captured
the opposite outcome — being caught after trying to escape
- be trapped
the state of being unable to leave
Grammar Patterns
escape + from + [place/person]
escape + noun phrase (cage/prison/captor)
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'from' when specifying the place of confinement. In news reports about prisoners or animals, this is the most common sense.
Common Mistakes
2. to leave behind a setting, routine, or relationship that makes you feel trapped
to leave behind a setting, routine, or relationship that makes you feel trapped or unhappy, sometimes just briefly.
Ritu escaped the noise of the city by taking walks in the forest.
escape + [unwanted situation] + by + gerund
The children escaped their strict aunt for a few hours of playtime.
Gabriel wanted to escape the pressure of his job for a while.
escape + [pressure/stress] from work or daily life
Mizuki often escapes her daily worries by reading novels late at night.
- escape the noise
- escape the pressure
- escape reality
- escape the routine
- escape from it all
- get away from
more informal, common in everyday speech
- leave behind
suggests you deliberately stop being part of something
- be stuck with
informal, the feeling of being unable to leave
- face
to deal with something instead of avoiding it
Grammar Patterns
escape + from + [situation/person/place]
escape + noun phrase (noise/pressure/routine)
Usage Note
Often takes an object that is a situation or environment rather than a physical location. Common in expressions about taking a break from routine or responsibilities.
Common Mistakes
3. to manage not to be affected or harmed by something unpleasant or dangerous, suc
to manage not to be affected or harmed by something unpleasant or dangerous, such as injury, punishment, or criticism.
Lakan escaped serious injury when the tree fell beside his car.
escape + [harm/danger] — narrowly avoid something bad
The driver escaped a fine because the police did not see him.
Ayana escaped punishment by explaining what had really happened.
escape + [consequence] + by + gerund
The cat narrowly escaped being hit by a speeding bicycle.
- escape injury
- escape punishment
- escape death
- escape a fine
- narrowly escape
- escape unharmed
Grammar Patterns
escape + noun phrase (injury/fine/punishment/death)
escape + being + past participle
Usage Note
The object is always something negative — injury, punishment, criticism, death, or a similar harm. Often used with 'narrowly' to emphasise that the danger came very close.
Common Mistakes
4. to avoid being seen, heard, or remembered by someone; to go without being notice
to avoid being seen, heard, or remembered by someone; to go without being noticed or understood.
The small mistake escaped the teacher's attention during the exam.
escape + [person's] + attention/notice
João tried to escape his mother's notice by slipping out the back door.
The meaning of the poem escaped Marco completely on the first reading.
escape + [person] — something is not understood or remembered
A key detail escaped the detective during the initial investigation.
- escape notice
- escape attention
- escape detection
- escape someone's memory
- escape the eye
Grammar Patterns
escape + [person's] + attention/notice/memory
escape + [person] (meaning not be seen or understood)
Usage Note
The subject is often not a person — it can be a detail, fact, mistake, sound, or name. The person who fails to notice or remember is the object. This sense does not use 'from'.
Common Mistakes
5. to hit a computer key, usually marked 'Esc', which takes you back to an earlier
to hit a computer key, usually marked 'Esc', which takes you back to an earlier screen, shuts a pop-up box, or halts an activity.
When the game froze, Élise pressed Escape to go back to the main menu.
press Escape to return / exit
You can escape the full-screen mode by tapping the Esc key twice.
Brandon hit the Escape button quickly to dismiss the pop-up window.
The student pressed the Esc key twice to close the error message.
- press Escape
- hit Esc
- tap the Esc key
- escape a menu
- escape full-screen
Grammar Patterns
press Escape / press Esc
escape + to + [screen/view]
Usage Note
Only used in computing contexts. The key is commonly referred to as 'Escape' or 'Esc' in instructions and on keyboards.
6. in computer programming, to place a special symbol before a character so that th
in computer programming, to place a special symbol before a character so that the computer treats it as plain text rather than as a command or special instruction.
Esme used a backslash to escape the quotation mark inside the text string.
escape + [character] with [symbol]
You must escape special characters like dollar signs in shell commands.
The programmer forgot to escape the backslash in the file path code.
In Python, you escape a newline character by writing a backslash before the letter n.
- escape a character
- escape a symbol
- escape a quotation mark
- escape sequence
- escape with a backslash
Grammar Patterns
escape + [character/symbol] + with/in + [symbol]
Usage Note
Only relevant in programming and markup languages. The backslash (\) is the most common escape symbol in many languages, though some use other characters.
7. to come out of a pipe, container, or enclosed space through a crack, hole, or we
to come out of a pipe, container, or enclosed space through a crack, hole, or weak point
Gas escaped from the cracked pipe in the kitchen, so Mert opened all the windows.
escape + from + container (intransitive)
Smoke was slowly escaping through a small hole near the fireplace.
Air escaped from the bicycle tyre after Takeshi hit a sharp stone on the road.
escape + from + source of leak
When Élise opened the old bottle, a faint hiss meant the gas had escaped.
- gas escapes
- smoke escapes
- air escapes
- escape from a crack
- escape through a hole
- escape into the air
Grammar Patterns
escape + from/through/into + container or opening
Usage Note
Subject is typically a gas, liquid, or smell moving through a small opening. Commonly used with the prepositions from, through, or into.
Common Mistakes
8. If a sound, word, or breath escapes you, it leaves your mouth even though you di
If a sound, word, or breath escapes you, it leaves your mouth even though you did not mean to make or say it.
A tired sigh escaped Eleni's lips as she finally sat down after hours of work.
escape + person's lips (sound as grammatical subject)
A quiet laugh escaped Jude before he could stop himself during the meeting.
When the doctor touched his injured arm, a groan escaped Ryan's father.
body sound + escape + person (involuntary)
A curse word escaped Christopher's mouth, and he was ashamed immediately.
Hoa stayed completely still, but a gasp escaped her when the spider moved.
- sigh escapes
- laugh escapes
- groan escapes
- word escapes
- escape someone's lips
- escape someone's mouth
Grammar Patterns
escape + person/lips/mouth (sound or word as subject)
Usage Note
In this sense, the grammatical subject is the sound, word, or breath that comes out — not the person who produces it. (A sigh escaped her, not She escaped a sigh.)
Common Mistakes
To take action to fix a problem after the damage has already happened.
Maya installed antivirus software after her computer got a virus, closing the barn door after the horse had escaped.
Isn't it like locking the barn door after the horse has escaped to start saving money after retirement?
escape — noun
1. the act or process of getting free from a place where you are trapped, or from a
the act or process of getting free from a place where you are trapped, or from a dangerous or unpleasant situation
After three months, the prisoner made a daring escape by climbing over the wall at midnight.
collocation: make an escape
Defne had a narrow escape when a tree branch crashed onto the pavement right behind her.
collocation: narrow escape
A tunnel escape from the camp required months of work with simple tools.
escape from + place
The family's lucky escape from the burning house was shown on the evening news.
collocation: lucky escape
Putri's escape from the kidnappers involved hiding inside a delivery truck for hours.
possessive + escape from
- make an escape
- narrow escape
- lucky escape
- escape from
- daring escape
- escape route
- capture
the opposite outcome — being caught after trying to escape
- confinement
the state of being kept in a limited space
Grammar Patterns
escape from + place/situation
make + an escape
Common Mistakes
2. a situation in which gas, liquid, or steam accidentally flows out of a pipe or c
a situation in which gas, liquid, or steam accidentally flows out of a pipe or container through a crack or hole
A gas escape from the old pipe forced the entire street to be evacuated at dawn.
escape of + gas
The plumber discovered a small escape of water behind the kitchen wall on Friday.
escape of + liquid
Constanza reported a chemical escape from the factory to the local fire department.
An escape of steam from the broken valve made a loud hissing noise in the boiler room.
- gas escape
- escape of water/steam/oil
- chemical escape
- escape from a pipe/valve
- containment
the successful prevention of a substance from escaping
Grammar Patterns
escape of + gas/liquid/steam
Usage Note
This sense is most often used for the accidental release of gas, steam, or liquid from pipes, tanks, or industrial equipment.
3. an enjoyable activity, form of entertainment, or short break that helps you stop
an enjoyable activity, form of entertainment, or short break that helps you stop thinking about your everyday worries or problems
For Defne, reading a good novel is the perfect escape from a stressful week at work.
escape from + everyday problems
Video games offer an escape for many teenagers who want to relax after a long school day.
Gardening became Christopher's favourite escape after he retired from his office job.
The cinema is a cheap escape from the boredom and repetition of daily routines.
adjective + escape
Some people turn to television as an escape from difficult real-life situations.
- an escape from reality
- perfect escape
- welcome escape
- escape from daily life/stress/work
- distraction
broader; does not necessarily imply enjoyment or relief
- diversion
emphasises turning attention away from something temporarily
- getaway
implies a short break from routine, often involving travel
- engagement
being fully involved in or focused on a situation
Grammar Patterns
an escape from + everyday life/stress/problems
Usage Note
Used only as a singular countable noun: 'an escape' or 'the escape'. Often followed by 'from' to indicate what is being temporarily left behind.
4. a short holiday or trip to a quiet, relaxing place that feels completely differe
a short holiday or trip to a quiet, relaxing place that feels completely different from your everyday surroundings
The cottage in the mountains was their favourite weekend escape from the noisy city.
adjective + escape
Maeve booked a beach escape for the whole family during the summer school break.
noun modifier + escape
The Quan family bought a small island escape where they go every winter to relax completely.
For Asher, a camping escape in the forest is more refreshing than any luxury hotel.
- weekend escape
- beach escape
- island escape
- mountain escape
- romantic escape
Grammar Patterns
adjective + escape
a + noun + escape
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 is any enjoyable activity that takes your mind off things; sense 4 specifically involves travelling somewhere different.
5. a keyboard button, usually labelled 'Esc', that lets you close a menu, cancel a
a keyboard button, usually labelled 'Esc', that lets you close a menu, cancel a command, or return to the screen you were on before
Press escape on your keyboard to close the pop-up window without confirming anything.
press + escape
Sora hit the escape key but the frozen program still would not respond at all.
hit + the escape key
If the game freezes, hold down the escape key for a few seconds to exit.
The instructions say to use the escape button to leave the installation screen safely.
- press escape
- hit the escape key
- escape button
- escape key
- Esc
the abbreviated label on the key itself; used in written instructions
- enter key
confirms the current action, the opposite of escape which cancels it
Grammar Patterns
press + escape
hit + the escape key
Usage Note
Often referred to simply as 'escape' or 'the escape key'. Used without an article when talking about the key as a command ('press escape').
Common Mistakes
6. a door, window, passage, or set of stairs that people can use to get out of a bu
a door, window, passage, or set of stairs that people can use to get out of a building or dangerous area
The hotel had a metal fire escape attached to the outside wall on every floor.
fire escape
Reema studied the escape routes on the map as soon as she entered the new office.
Every classroom must clearly mark its escape route for regular fire drills.
The old warehouse had only one escape, which made it dangerous for the workers.
- fire escape
- escape route
- escape passage
- emergency escape
- exit
general term for any way out; does not imply urgency or danger
- way out
informal phrase for any route that leads outside
- emergency exit
specifically designed for use in dangerous situations
- dead end
a passage with no way out
Grammar Patterns
fire + escape
escape + route/passage/exit
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is the action of escaping; sense 6 is the physical route or structure used to escape.
escape — adjective
1. designed to help people get out of a dangerous building, vehicle, or area when a
designed to help people get out of a dangerous building, vehicle, or area when an emergency happens
The hotel staff showed every guest the nearest escape route during the fire drill.
collocation: escape route
An escape ladder hung from the balcony of the second-floor apartment.
Pedro checked the escape hatch in the submarine before it went underwater.
collocation: escape hatch (vehicle)
The escape door at the back of the cinema opened into a narrow alley.
Every classroom should have a clearly marked escape route for emergencies.
typical context: school safety
- escape route
- escape ladder
- escape hatch
- escape door
- escape window
Grammar Patterns
escape + noun
Usage Note
Used only before a noun (attributive position). It does not appear after a linking verb: use 'escape + noun', not '*noun + is escape'.
Common Mistakes
2. written into a legal document or agreement to allow a person or company to avoid
written into a legal document or agreement to allow a person or company to avoid a duty or obligation without a penalty
The contract contained an escape clause that let Caleb leave the partnership early.
collocation: escape clause
Lawyers often search for an escape hatch in the fine print of a business deal.
collocation: escape hatch (legal context)
Without an escape clause, Anjali could not leave her job without paying a penalty.
The insurance policy included an escape clause for damage caused by natural disasters.
Mert’s lawyer found an escape hatch in the rental agreement that waived the fee.
collocation: escape hatch (lease agreement)
- escape clause
- escape hatch
Grammar Patterns
escape + noun
Usage Note
Like sense 1, this sense is used only attributively (before a noun). Most frequent in legal and financial writing; 'escape clause' and 'escape hatch' are the dominant collocations.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- escapesverbB1
- escapedverbB1
- escapingverbB1
- escapeenounC1
- escapismnounC1
- escapistadjectiveC1
- inescapableadjectiveB2
- inescapablyadverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Escape' and 'flee' both involve physically leaving a place, but 'flee' emphasises urgent, fearful movement away from danger ('they fled the burning house'), while 'escape' focuses on breaking free from confinement ('the prisoner escaped'). 'Evade' suggests clever or deceptive avoidance of something chasing you, such as police or criticism. 'Elude' is close to 'evade' but often implies skill or luck in staying out of reach ('the meaning eluded me'). 'Avoid' is the most general word — it simply means staying away from something unpleasant, without the sense of pursuit or confinement. 'Get away' is the informal phrasal verb for 'escape', common in everyday speech ('the thieves got away').
Common collocations
Etymology
Escape entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'eschaper', which came from Latin 'ex-' (out of) + 'cappa' (cloak or head covering). The original image was of taking off one's cloak to get free. Over time the meaning broadened from physical freedom to avoiding harm, notice, or routine.