escape

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 [V] ~ (from sb/sth) to get away from a place where you have been kept as a prisoner or not allowed to leave: Two prisoners have escaped. * He escaped from prison this morning. * They were caught trying to escape. 2 ~ (from sth) to get away from an unpleasant or dangerous situation: [V] She managed to escape from the burning car. * (figurative) As a child he would often escape into a dream world of his own. * [VN] They were glad to have escaped the clutches of winter for another year. 3 [nopassive] to avoid sth unpleasant or dangerous: [VN] She was lucky to escape punishment. * The pilot escaped death by seconds. * There was no escaping the fact that he was overweight. * [V-ing] He narrowly escaped being killed. 4 ~ (with sth) to suffer no harm or less harm than you would expect: [V] I was lucky to escape with minor injuries. * [V-ADJ] Both drivers escaped unhurt. 5 [VN] [nopassive] to be forgotten or not noticed: Her name escapes me (= I can't remember it). * It might have escaped your notice, but I'm very busy at the moment. 6 [V] (of gases, liquids, etc.) to get out of a container, especially through a hole or crack: Put a lid on to prevent heat escaping. * toxic waste escaping into the sea 7 (of a sound) to come out from your mouth without you intending it to: [VN] A groan escaped her lips. [also V] noun 1 [C,U] ~ (from sth) the act or a method of escaping from a place or an unpleasant or dangerous situation: an escape from a prisoner of war camp * I had a narrow escape (= I was lucky to have escaped). * There was no hope of escape from her disastrous marriage. * He took an elaborate escape route from South Africa to Britain. * As soon as he turned his back, she would make her escape. seealsoFIREESCAPE 2 [sing.,U] a way of forgetting sth unpleasant or difficult for a short time: For her travel was an escape from the boredom of her everyday life. 3 [C] the fact of a liquid, gas, etc. coming out of a pipe or container by accident; the amount that comes out: an escape of gas IDIOMS make good your escape (written) to manage to escape completely: He made good his escape from a crowd of journalists by jumping over a barrier. moreatBARN