flee

[fliː]

flee Definition

• 1. run away from a place or situation of danger
• 2. escape from someone or something

Using flee: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "flee" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The robbers fled the scene before the police arrived.

• Example

  She fled from her abusive husband and started a new life.

• Example

  The refugees fled their war-torn country in search of safety.

• Example

  The animals fled the forest fire.

flee Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for flee

• escape
• bolt
• abscond
• run away
• take flight

Antonyms for flee

• confront
• face
• stay
• remain

Idioms Using flee

• make one's hair stand on end

  cause extreme fear or horror

  Example

  The sound of the lion's roar made our hair stand on end, and we fled in terror.

• take to one's heels

  run away quickly, especially to escape danger or trouble

  Example

  When they saw the angry mob approaching, they took to their heels and fled the scene.

• cut and run

  abruptly leave a difficult or dangerous situation without taking responsibility

  Example

  He cut and run when he realized that his plan had failed, leaving his team to deal with the consequences.

Phrases with flee

• flee for one's life

  run away as fast as possible to avoid being killed or harmed

  Example

  The villagers had to flee for their lives when the volcano erupted.

• flee from justice

  run away to avoid being caught and punished by the law

  Example

  The criminal fled from justice and was on the run for years.

• flee the nest

  leave home to live independently, especially when young

  Example

  After finishing college, she decided to flee the nest and move to a big city.

Origins of flee

from Old English 'fleón', meaning 'take flight'

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Summary: flee in Brief

'Flee' [fliː] means to run away from danger or escape from someone or something. It can be used in various contexts, such as fleeing from a crime scene or fleeing a war-torn country. Phrases like 'flee for one's life' and 'flee from justice' add specific meanings, while idioms like 'make one's hair stand on end' and 'cut and run' convey extreme fear and irresponsibility, respectively.