to get free from something, or to avoid something, to leave a place when someone is trying to catch you or stop you from leaving, a way of getting out of a dangerous or unpleasant situation

escape the rat race, escape with one's life, great escape

escape hatch, escape velocity, escape room

Formal and Informal Expressions of escape

In different contexts, you can replace 'escape' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'evade, elude' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'get away, make a run for it' is a commonplace synonym.

escape: Explore its Definition & Usage

escape Definition

1to get free from something, or to avoid something
2to leave a place when someone is trying to catch you or stop you from leaving
3a way of getting out of a dangerous or unpleasant situation

Using escape: Examples

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

Example
The prisoner managed to escape from jail.
Example
I need to escape from the city for a while.
Example
She tried to escape his grasp.
Example
He escaped injury in the accident.

escape Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for escape

flee
evade
avoid
run away
break free

Antonyms for escape

Idioms Using escape

escape the rat race
to leave a stressful or competitive work environment in search of a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle
Example
After years of working in the city, she decided to escape the rat race and move to the countryside.
escape with one's life
to narrowly avoid death or serious injury in a dangerous situation
Example
The hiker was lucky to escape with her life after being stranded in the mountains for three days.
great escape
a daring or dramatic escape from a difficult or dangerous situation
Example
The prisoners' great escape was the subject of a popular movie.

Phrases with escape

escape hatch
a means of escape from a difficult or dangerous situation
Example
The company had an escape hatch in case of financial difficulties.
escape velocity
the minimum speed needed for an object to escape from the gravitational pull of a planet or other celestial body
Example
The rocket was launched with enough force to reach escape velocity.
escape room
a game in which players are locked in a room and must solve puzzles and clues to escape within a set time limit
Example
We had a great time at the escape room last night.

Origins of escape

from Old North French 'escaper', meaning 'run away'

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Summary: escape in Brief

The verb 'escape' [ɪˈskeɪp] means to get free from something or to avoid it, as in 'The prisoner managed to escape from jail.' It can also refer to leaving a place when someone is trying to catch or stop you, as in 'She tried to escape his grasp.' Additionally, 'escape' can describe a way of getting out of a dangerous or unpleasant situation, as in 'He escaped injury in the accident.' Phrases like 'escape hatch' and idioms like 'escape the rat race' extend the concept of escape to broader contexts.