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B1 verb, noun #22 más común 12 min de lectura

escape

Top 22

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos escape en 30 segundos

Explicación escape in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'escape' is a word you use to talk about moving away from something bad or getting out of a place. Think about a bird in a cage. If the door is open, the bird can 'escape.' It means the bird is now free. You can also use it for people. If you are in a room and you don't want to be there because it is scary, you 'escape' from the room. It is a simple action: you were 'in' or 'trapped,' and now you are 'out' or 'free.' At this level, you mostly use it as a verb. For example: 'The cat escaped from the house.' It is an easy way to describe a basic action of getting free. You don't need to worry about complex meanings yet. Just remember: escape = get out and be free.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'escape' for more than just physical movement. You might use it to describe avoiding a small problem. For example, 'I escaped the rain by going into a shop.' Here, you didn't break out of a prison, but you successfully avoided something unpleasant (the rain). You can also use the noun form 'an escape.' You might say, 'The weekend trip was a great escape.' This means the trip helped you forget about school or work for a little while. At A2, you are learning that 'escape' is about both physical freedom and mental freedom. You should also learn the common phrase 'escape from.' We use 'from' to show the place we are leaving, like 'escape from school' or 'escape from a dog.'

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'escape' in various contexts. You understand that it can mean avoiding danger, like 'escaping a fire' or 'escaping an accident.' Notice that in these examples, we often don't use 'from.' You 'escape the danger' directly. You also start to use the word for more abstract things. For instance, 'The name of the book escapes me.' This is a very common way to say 'I forgot the name.' It's like the name is a little animal that ran away from your brain! You also understand 'escapism'—the idea of using movies, books, or games to 'escape' from a boring or stressful life. At this level, you can use 'escape' to describe technical things too, like 'gas escaping from a pipe.'

At the B2 level, you can use 'escape' with more precision and nuance. You might use adverbs to describe the escape, such as 'narrowly escaped' or 'miraculously escaped.' These words add more detail to your stories. You also understand the difference between 'escape,' 'avoid,' and 'evade.' You know that 'evading' often involves being clever, while 'escaping' is about the result of getting away. You can use 'escape' in more formal writing, such as 'The problem escaped the manager's attention.' This means the manager didn't notice the problem. You are also aware of the 'escape key' on a computer and how the concept of 'escaping' applies to technology and programming logic. Your use of the word is now flexible and natural.

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At the C1 level, you use 'escape' to express subtle ideas. You might use it to describe a philosophical concept, like 'escaping the bonds of tradition' or 'escaping the limitations of one's own mind.' You are comfortable with the word in literary contexts, where it might represent a theme of freedom or rebellion. You also understand technical 'escape sequences' in coding or the way 'escaped species' can impact an ecosystem in biology. Your vocabulary includes formal synonyms like 'abscond' or 'elude,' and you know exactly when to use 'escape' instead of them to achieve the right tone. You can use the word to describe very slight things, like 'a faint smell escaping from the kitchen,' showing a high level of descriptive detail.

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At the C2 level, 'escape' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss complex psychological states, such as the 'inescapable' nature of certain truths or the 'escapist' tendencies of a particular era of art. You might use it in legal or academic writing to describe how a defendant 'escaped conviction' on a technicality. You understand the deep etymology of the word (from the Latin for 'out of the cape') and how that history informs its current meaning of leaving something behind. You can play with the word in creative writing, using it metaphorically to describe time, light, or emotions. Your mastery allows you to use 'escape' in any register, from the most casual slang to the most rigorous scientific or legal discourse, with perfect accuracy and nuance.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

escape en 30 segundos

Escape means getting free from a place like a prison or avoiding a dangerous situation like an accident or a fire.
It can be used as a verb (to escape) or a noun (an escape), often referring to a vacation or a hobby.
Commonly used in idioms like 'the name escapes me' when you forget something, or 'a narrow escape' for a close call.
In technology, the 'Esc' key is used to exit programs or stop actions, showing the word's broad application in modern life.

The word escape is a versatile and essential term in the English language, functioning as both a verb and a noun. At its core, it describes the act of breaking free from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation. However, its utility extends far beyond physical bars or locked doors. In modern English, we use 'escape' to describe psychological relief, technical failures, and even the way information might slip from our memory. When you escape, you are essentially moving from a state of restriction to a state of freedom. This could be a prisoner leaving a cell, a hiker avoiding a sudden storm, or a busy professional losing themselves in a novel to forget the stresses of the workday. The word carries a sense of urgency and relief, often implying that the departure was necessary for safety or mental well-being.

Physical Liberation: This is the most literal use, referring to getting out of a place where one is held captive or trapped. It often involves overcoming an obstacle or a guard.

The small bird managed to escape through the open window before the cat could reach it.

Beyond the physical, 'escape' is frequently used in the context of avoiding something negative. This is a proactive form of the word. You might escape a fine by paying your taxes on time, or escape injury by wearing a seatbelt. Here, the 'confinement' is the negative consequence that you managed to circumvent. It suggests a narrow margin; often, if you escape something, you were very close to experiencing it. This nuance makes the word particularly dramatic in storytelling and news reporting. We also see 'escape' used to describe things that are not human. Gas can escape from a pipe, or heat can escape from a poorly insulated house. In these technical contexts, it refers to an unintended leak or flow out of a contained system.

Mental Reprieve: Using entertainment or hobbies to forget about daily worries. For example, 'Movies provide a perfect escape from reality.'

For many people, gardening is a quiet escape from the noise of the city.

In more abstract usage, 'escape' can describe things that we fail to notice or remember. If a name 'escapes' you, it means you cannot remember it at that moment, even though you know it. If a detail 'escapes notice,' it means people failed to see or realize it. This adds a layer of personification to the word, as if the information itself is actively running away from your consciousness. This breadth of meaning—from a jailbreak to a forgotten name—makes 'escape' one of the most functional words for describing the transition from 'contained' to 'uncontained' in any sense.

Technical Leakage: The unintended release of a substance or energy from a container, such as steam escaping from a kettle.

We need to seal the windows to prevent heat from escaping during the winter.

Using 'escape' correctly requires understanding its grammatical patterns, particularly the prepositions that follow it. Most commonly, we use 'escape from' when referring to a specific place or condition of confinement. For instance, 'He escaped from prison' or 'She escaped from a life of poverty.' The 'from' marks the starting point of the movement toward freedom. However, 'escape' can also be used transitively, meaning it takes a direct object without a preposition, especially when the meaning is 'to avoid.' You 'escape punishment' or 'escape injury.' In these cases, adding 'from' would sound unnatural. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding like a fluent speaker.

Transitive vs. Intransitive: Use 'escape from' for physical locations. Use 'escape' directly for abstract dangers or consequences.

The driver was lucky to escape the crash with only minor scratches.

When 'escape' is used as a noun, it often appears in phrases like 'make an escape' or 'a narrow escape.' A 'narrow escape' is a very common collocation used to describe a situation where someone almost got hurt or caught but managed to get away at the last second. It adds a sense of drama and tension. Another common noun pattern is 'an escape into [something],' which describes using an activity to avoid reality. For example, 'Music was his escape into a world of imagination.' Here, the noun 'escape' acts as a bridge between the real world and the preferred mental state.

Collocations with Adverbs: Commonly paired with 'narrowly,' 'miraculously,' 'successfully,' or 'completely' to describe the manner of the escape.

They narrowly escaped being caught by the security guards.

Another interesting grammatical use is the 'it escapes me' construction. This is an idiomatic way to say you've forgotten something. You don't say 'I escaped the name'; you say 'The name escapes me.' In this pattern, the forgotten information is the subject, and the person who forgot it is the object. This structure emphasizes the elusive nature of memory. Similarly, in scientific or technical writing, we might say 'gas is escaping,' using the continuous form to describe an ongoing process of leakage. This versatility across formal, informal, and technical registers makes 'escape' a high-frequency word in both spoken and written English.

The 'It Escapes Me' Pattern: Subject (the thing forgotten) + escapes + Object (the person). Used for temporary memory loss.

I know I've met him before, but his name escapes me at the moment.

You will encounter 'escape' in a variety of real-world settings, from the evening news to your computer keyboard. One of the most common places is in news headlines regarding crime or accidents. Phrases like 'prison escape,' 'escaped convict,' or 'miraculous escape' are staples of journalism. These stories often focus on the drama of the event—how the person got away and the danger they might pose. In a more tragic context, news reports might mention people 'escaping a fire' or 'escaping a war zone,' highlighting the word's association with survival and the search for safety.

News and Media: Used to report on jailbreaks, survival stories, and avoiding disasters.

The headline read: 'Local Family Escapes House Fire Unharmed.'

In the world of technology, 'escape' is literally at your fingertips. The 'Esc' key on a computer keyboard is designed to stop a process, close a window, or exit a full-screen mode. This is a direct application of the word's meaning: 'escaping' from a digital state or command. Similarly, in programming, an 'escape character' is used to tell the computer to treat the following character differently, 'escaping' the usual rules of the code. This technical usage demonstrates how the concept of 'breaking the routine' or 'exiting a boundary' is applied to logic and machines.

Technology and Computing: Refers to the 'Esc' key or 'escape sequences' in programming to bypass standard processing.

If the program freezes, try pressing the escape key to cancel the operation.

In daily conversation, 'escape' is often used to talk about vacations and leisure. People talk about 'getting away for a weekend escape' or finding a 'mountain escape.' In this context, the word is synonymous with 'retreat' or 'hideaway.' It implies that the person's normal life is a place they need a break from. Travel agencies use this word frequently in their marketing to evoke a sense of peace and freedom. Whether it's a 'tropical escape' or an 'urban escape,' the goal is to sell the idea of leaving behind responsibilities and stress. This positive, aspirational use of 'escape' contrasts sharply with its use in crime or disaster, showing the word's emotional range.

Travel and Leisure: Used to describe vacations, retreats, or any relaxing getaway from daily life.

We are planning a short escape to the countryside next month.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'escape' is the misuse of prepositions. As mentioned earlier, 'escape from' is for physical locations, but 'escape' (no preposition) is for avoiding consequences. A common error is saying 'I escaped from the accident.' While understandable, it's more natural to say 'I escaped the accident.' The accident isn't a place you were trapped in; it's an event you avoided. Conversely, saying 'He escaped prison' is acceptable in some dialects, but 'He escaped from prison' is the standard form when describing the act of breaking out. Paying attention to whether you are leaving a physical space or avoiding a situation will help you choose the right structure.

Mistake: Overusing 'From': Incorrect: 'She escaped from being caught.' Correct: 'She escaped being caught.'

The thief escaped the police after a long chase through the city.

Another common confusion is between 'escape' and 'avoid.' While they are similar, 'escape' usually implies that you were already in danger or very close to it. 'Avoid' can mean you stayed away from the danger entirely. If you 'avoid' a fire, you never went near the building. If you 'escape' a fire, you were inside or very close when it happened. Using 'escape' when you really mean 'avoid' can make a situation sound more dramatic than it actually was. Similarly, don't confuse 'escape' with 'run away.' 'Run away' focuses on the action of running, while 'escape' focuses on the successful result of getting free.

Escape vs. Avoid: 'Avoid' is staying away; 'Escape' is getting away from something already present.

You can avoid traffic by leaving early, but you escape traffic when you finally find a clear road.

Finally, be careful with the 'it escapes me' idiom. Learners sometimes try to use the person as the subject, saying 'I escaped the name.' This is incorrect. In English, the thing you forgot is the one that 'escapes' from your mind. It's also important to note that 'escape' is rarely used in the passive voice. You wouldn't usually say 'The prison was escaped by him.' Instead, use the active voice: 'He escaped from the prison.' This keeps the focus on the person taking the action, which is much more common in English.

Mistake: Wrong Subject in Idioms: Incorrect: 'I escaped his phone number.' Correct: 'His phone number escapes me.'

I've seen this movie before, but the ending escapes me.

English has many synonyms for 'escape,' each with its own specific flavor. 'Flee' is a strong alternative, often used when someone is running away from danger or the law in a state of fear. It's more dramatic and faster than 'escape.' 'Evade' and 'elude' are more about skill and cleverness. If you 'evade' someone, you are using tricks or strategy to avoid being caught. 'Elude' is very similar but often implies that the person trying to catch you is frustrated because you are so hard to find. These words are common in detective novels and military contexts.

Escape vs. Flee: 'Escape' focuses on the result (being free). 'Flee' focuses on the action (running away in fear).

The refugees were forced to flee their homes when the war started.

In more informal settings, you might use 'get away' or 'break out.' 'Get away' is a very common phrasal verb that can replace 'escape' in almost any casual conversation. 'Break out' specifically refers to escaping from a place where you are locked in, like a prison or a hospital. On the other hand, 'abscond' is a formal, legal term used when someone leaves secretly and typically takes something that doesn't belong to them, like money from a company. Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the specific circumstances of the departure.

Evade vs. Elude: 'Evade' is often used for taxes or questions. 'Elude' is often used for physical capture or understanding.

The suspect managed to elude capture for three weeks by hiding in the woods.

When talking about the noun form, 'retreat' or 'sanctuary' can be good alternatives for 'escape' when it means a peaceful place. If you're talking about a leak, 'leakage' or 'seepage' are more technical terms. If you're talking about a 'narrow escape,' you might call it a 'close call' or a 'near miss.' These variations allow you to be more precise. For example, 'The cabin was a perfect sanctuary' sounds more poetic and permanent than 'The cabin was a perfect escape.' Understanding these synonyms helps you match your vocabulary to the mood and context of your writing or speech.

Summary of Alternatives: Informal: Get away, break out. Formal: Abscond, decamp. Strategic: Evade, elude. Emotional: Flee.

That was a close call; the car almost hit us!

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The defendant managed to escape conviction due to insufficient evidence."

Neutral

"We are planning a short escape to the mountains next month."

Informal

"I need to get away; this job is driving me crazy."

Child friendly

"The little bunny escaped from the cage and hopped into the grass."

Jerga

"I'm gonna bail on this party; I need an escape."

Dato curioso

The 'escape' key on your keyboard was invented by Bob Bemer in 1960. He wanted a way for programmers to switch between different types of code easily.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ɪˈskeɪp/

US /əˈskeɪp/

The stress is on the second syllable: es-CAPE.

Rima con

shape tape grape drape cape scrape ape landscape

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it as 'ex-cape' with an 'x' sound instead of 's'.
Putting the stress on the first syllable: ES-cape.
Making the 'a' sound too short, like 'escap'.
Forgetting to pronounce the final 'p' clearly.
Confusing the 'e' sound with a long 'ee' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts due to its high frequency.

Escritura 3/5

Requires care with prepositions (from vs. no preposition).

Expresión oral 3/5

The 'it escapes me' idiom and 'ex-cape' pronunciation error can be tricky.

Escucha 2/5

Usually clear, though can be confused with 'except' if spoken very fast.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

run free away from danger

Aprende después

avoid evade elude escapism fugitive

Avanzado

abscond circumvent extricate liberation subterfuge

Gramática que debes saber

Transitive vs Intransitive

He escaped (intransitive). He escaped the room (transitive).

Prepositional usage

Escape from a place vs. Escape a consequence.

Gerunds after escape

He escaped being caught (passive gerund).

Noun-Verb Agreement in Idioms

The name (singular) escapes (singular verb) me.

Adverb placement

He narrowly (adverb) escaped (verb).

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Ejemplos por nivel

The dog escaped from the garden.

Le chien s'est échappé du jardin.

Use 'escaped from' for a physical place.

He wants to escape the cold weather.

Il veut échapper au temps froid.

'Escape' can mean to avoid something unpleasant.

Can the bird escape the cage?

L'oiseau peut-il s'échapper de la cage ?

A question using the modal verb 'can'.

They escaped to the park for a picnic.

Ils se sont échappés au parc pour un pique-nique.

'Escape to' indicates the destination of the getaway.

I need an escape from my homework.

J'ai besoin d'une évasion de mes devoirs.

Here 'escape' is a noun meaning a break.

The cat escaped under the bed.

Le chat s'est échappé sous le lit.

Shows direction of movement.

Don't let the rabbit escape!

Ne laisse pas le lapin s'échapper !

An imperative sentence (a command).

She escaped with her toys.

Elle s'est échappée avec ses jouets.

Using 'with' to show what was taken.

We escaped the rain by going inside.

Nous avons échappé à la pluie en rentrant.

No 'from' is needed when avoiding an event like rain.

The movie was a great escape for us.

Le film était une excellente évasion pour nous.

'Escape' as a noun meaning entertainment.

How did the prisoner escape?

Comment le prisonnier s'est-il échappé ?

A past tense question with 'did'.

The water is escaping from the pipe.

L'eau s'échappe du tuyau.

Present continuous for an ongoing action.

I want to escape the city this weekend.

Je veux m'échapper de la ville ce week-end.

Using 'escape' to mean going on vacation.

He narrowly escaped the falling tree.

Il a échappé de justesse à l'arbre qui tombait.

'Narrowly' is a common adverb with escape.

There is no escape from this room.

Il n'y a pas d'issue à cette pièce.

Noun use in a 'there is' construction.

She escaped her problems by reading.

Elle a échappé à ses problèmes en lisant.

Using a gerund ('reading') to show the method.

The name of the restaurant escapes me.

Le nom du restaurant m'échappe.

Idiomatic use meaning 'I forgot'.

They made a daring escape across the border.

Ils ont fait une évasion audacieuse à travers la frontière.

'Make an escape' is a common verb-noun phrase.

He managed to escape punishment for the mistake.

Il a réussi à échapper à la punition pour l'erreur.

'Manage to' implies difficulty was overcome.

The smell of gas was escaping from the kitchen.

L'odeur de gaz s'échappait de la cuisine.

Used for gases and smells.

Video games are a form of escapism for him.

Les jeux vidéo sont une forme d'évasion pour lui.

'Escapism' is the noun for the habit of escaping reality.

She escaped injury in the car accident.

Elle a échappé à des blessures dans l'accident de voiture.

Direct object 'injury' without a preposition.

The secret escaped during the conversation.

Le secret s'est échappé pendant la conversation.

Metaphorical use for information.

We need an escape plan in case of fire.

Nous avons besoin d'un plan d'évacuation en cas d'incendie.

Compound noun: 'escape plan'.

The suspect eluded the police and escaped into the woods.

Le suspect a échappé à la police et s'est enfui dans les bois.

Combining 'elude' and 'escape' for narrative depth.

Nothing escapes her sharp eyes.

Rien n'échappe à ses yeux aiguisés.

Meaning she notices everything.

The heat escapes through the gaps in the door.

La chaleur s'échappe par les fentes de la porte.

Technical use in thermodynamics.

He felt he could never escape his past.

Il sentait qu'il ne pourrait jamais échapper à son passé.

Abstract use regarding history or reputation.

The mountain cabin provided a perfect escape from the city's hustle.

Le chalet de montagne offrait une évasion parfaite de l'agitation de la ville.

Noun use in a descriptive context.

Press 'Esc' to escape the full-screen mode.

Appuyez sur 'Echap' pour quitter le mode plein écran.

Imperative use in a technical instruction.

The lion's escape caused a panic at the zoo.

L'évasion du lion a provoqué une panique au zoo.

Possessive noun phrase 'The lion's escape'.

She narrowly escaped being hit by a cyclist.

Elle a échappé de justesse à une collision avec un cycliste.

Using a passive gerund 'being hit'.

The deeper meaning of the poem escaped most readers.

Le sens profond du poème a échappé à la plupart des lecteurs.

Abstract use for intellectual understanding.

The prisoner's escape was meticulously planned for months.

L'évasion du prisonnier a été méticuleusement planifiée pendant des mois.

Passive voice with the noun as the subject.

He managed to escape the clutches of the corrupt corporation.

Il a réussi à échapper aux griffes de la corporation corrompue.

Idiomatic expression 'clutches of'.

The fugitive escaped detection by wearing a clever disguise.

Le fugitif a échappé à la détection en portant un déguisement astucieux.

'Escape detection' is a formal collocation.

A sigh of relief escaped her lips when she heard the news.

Un soupir de soulagement s'est échappé de ses lèvres quand elle a appris la nouvelle.

Literary personification of an emotion/sound.

The species escaped into the wild and became invasive.

L'espèce s'est échappée dans la nature et est devenue envahissante.

Biological context for non-native animals.

The logic of his argument completely escapes me.

La logique de son argument m'échappe complètement.

Stronger version of 'it escapes me'.

They were lucky to escape with their lives.

Ils ont eu de la chance de s'en sortir vivants.

Idiom meaning they survived a deadly situation.

The subtle nuances of the dialect escaped the untrained ear.

Les nuances subtiles du dialecte échappaient à l'oreille non exercée.

High-level use regarding sensory perception.

He sought an escape from the existential dread of modern life.

Il cherchait une évasion de l'angoisse existentielle de la vie moderne.

Philosophical and abstract noun usage.

The gas's escape velocity was calculated by the engineers.

La vitesse de libération du gaz a été calculée par les ingénieurs.

Technical/Scientific term 'escape velocity'.

The thief escaped through a legal loophole in the contract.

Le voleur s'est échappé grâce à une faille juridique dans le contrat.

Metaphorical escape from legal consequences.

It is an inescapable fact that climate change is accelerating.

C'est un fait incontournable que le changement climatique s'accélère.

Using the adjective 'inescapable' (impossible to avoid).

The artist's work is an attempt to escape the confines of traditional form.

Le travail de l'artiste est une tentative d'échapper aux limites de la forme traditionnelle.

Artistic and conceptual usage.

No detail, however minute, escaped the detective's scrutiny.

Aucun détail, aussi infime soit-il, n'a échappé à l'examen du détective.

Formal construction with 'no... escaped'.

The memory of that night had escaped into the recesses of his mind.

Le souvenir de cette nuit-là s'était échappé dans les replis de son esprit.

Highly metaphorical and literary usage.

Colocaciones comunes

narrow escape

escape from prison

fire escape

escape notice

miraculous escape

escape reality

gas escape

escape route

successfully escape

escape punishment

Frases Comunes

make an escape

— To perform the act of getting away.

They made an escape under the cover of darkness.

no escape

— A situation where it is impossible to get away.

There is no escape from the consequences of your actions.

escape clause

— A part of a contract that allows someone to avoid a commitment.

The contract includes an escape clause for early termination.

escape velocity

— The speed needed for an object to break free from a planet's gravity.

A rocket must reach escape velocity to enter orbit.

clean escape

— Getting away without being caught or leaving any evidence.

The thieves made a clean escape before the police arrived.

escape attempt

— An act of trying to get free, which might not succeed.

The prisoner's escape attempt was foiled by the guards.

weekend escape

— A short holiday to relax and forget about work.

We are looking for a quiet weekend escape in the mountains.

escape artist

— Someone who is very good at getting out of traps or difficult situations.

Houdini was the world's most famous escape artist.

escape hatch

— A small door used to get out of a ship, plane, or difficult situation.

The pilot used the escape hatch after the emergency landing.

escape the grind

— To take a break from boring, repetitive daily work.

He quit his job to escape the daily grind of the office.

Se confunde a menudo con

escape vs except

Sounds similar but means 'excluding'.

escape vs avoid

Avoid means staying away; escape means getting away.

escape vs flee

Flee is more about the act of running in fear.

Modismos y expresiones

"the name escapes me"

— Used when you cannot remember someone's name at that moment.

I know her well, but her name escapes me right now.

Neutral

"escape by the skin of one's teeth"

— To barely manage to get away from a dangerous situation.

He escaped the burning building by the skin of his teeth.

Informal

"an escape from reality"

— An activity that helps you forget your real-life problems.

For him, painting is a total escape from reality.

Neutral

"escape one's lips"

— To say something accidentally or to make a sound involuntarily.

A small cry of surprise escaped her lips.

Literary

"escape the net"

— To avoid being caught by a system or a group of people.

Some small criminals manage to escape the net of the law.

Neutral

"let something escape"

— To accidentally reveal a secret or a piece of information.

She let the secret escape during the dinner party.

Informal

"escape the radar"

— To go unnoticed by people in authority or the general public.

The new indie band managed to escape the radar of major labels.

Informal

"no escape from fate"

— The belief that you cannot avoid what is destined to happen.

He felt there was no escape from his fate as a leader.

Literary

"escape the cage"

— To break free from a restrictive environment or relationship.

She finally escaped the cage of her boring office job.

Metaphorical

"narrowly escape the reaper"

— To survive a situation where you almost died.

After the crash, he felt he had narrowly escaped the reaper.

Informal/Dark

Fácil de confundir

escape vs Evade

Both mean getting away.

Evade implies using cleverness or tricks to avoid something like taxes or a question.

He tried to evade the reporter's questions.

escape vs Elude

Both mean getting away.

Elude is often used when the person chasing you is frustrated because you are hard to find.

The answer eluded the scientists for decades.

escape vs Avoid

Both mean not experiencing something bad.

Avoid is staying away before it happens; escape is getting away when it is already happening.

Avoid the puddle; escape the flood.

escape vs Run away

Both describe leaving a place.

Run away focuses on the physical action; escape focuses on the successful result of being free.

The boy ran away from home, but he couldn't escape his feelings.

escape vs Abscond

Both mean leaving secretly.

Abscond is a formal/legal term, usually involving theft or avoiding the law.

The accountant absconded with the company's cash.

Patrones de oraciones

Subject + escaped + from + Place

The cat escaped from the house.

Subject + escaped + the + Noun

We escaped the rain.

The + Noun + escapes + me

His name escapes me.

Subject + managed to + escape

He managed to escape.

Subject + narrowly + escaped + Noun

She narrowly escaped the accident.

No + Noun + escaped + Noun

No detail escaped his notice.

Subject + escaped + being + Past Participle

He escaped being seen.

Subject + is + an + inescapable + Noun

It is an inescapable truth.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

Errores comunes

I escaped from the accident. → I escaped the accident.
We don't use 'from' for events or consequences you avoid.
I ex-caped the room. → I es-caped the room.
The word starts with an 's' sound, not an 'x' sound.
The name escapes from me. → The name escapes me.
In this idiom, the verb is used transitively without 'from'.
He was escaped from prison. → He escaped from prison.
Escape is an active verb; we don't usually use it in the passive voice like this.
I escaped the party early. → I left the party early.
Don't use 'escape' for normal departures unless you felt trapped.

Consejos

Preposition Tip

Don't use 'from' with 'it escapes me'. The name escapes me, not from me.

Use Synonyms

Use 'flee' for more drama and 'get away' for casual conversations.

Avoid the X

Make sure to say 'es-cape' with an 's' sound, not 'ex-cape'.

Adverb Pairing

Pair 'escape' with 'narrowly' or 'successfully' to add more detail to your writing.

Technical Use

Remember that 'escape' can also mean a leak of gas, water, or heat.

Polite Forgetting

Use 'it escapes me' to sound more sophisticated than just saying 'I forgot'.

Skin of Teeth

Learn the idiom 'escape by the skin of your teeth' for very close calls.

Movie Themes

Notice how many movies use 'escape' as a main theme for a hero's journey.

Esc Key

Think of the 'Esc' key as a literal way to escape a digital situation.

Invasive Species

In biology, an 'escaped' plant or animal can become a problem for the environment.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of an 'S' shaped 'Cape'. To e-S-CAPE, you have to slip out of your Cape and run away!

Asociación visual

Imagine a prisoner jumping over a wall, but as they jump, their heavy cloak falls off, leaving them light and free.

Word Web

Freedom Prison Avoid Run away Vacation Key Leak Forget

Desafío

Write three sentences using 'escape' as a verb, a noun, and in the phrase 'the name escapes me'.

Origen de la palabra

The word comes from the Old French 'eschaper', which itself is derived from the Vulgar Latin 'excappare'.

Significado original: Literally 'to get out of one's cape'. It refers to a person leaving their cloak behind in the hands of a pursuer to get away.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using 'escape' in contexts of refugees or war, as it carries a weight of trauma and survival.

The 'Great Escape' often refers specifically to a famous WWII event where Allied soldiers escaped from a German camp.

The Great Escape (1963 film) The Shawshank Redemption Houdini's magic acts

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Travel

weekend escape
tropical escape
getaway
escape the city

Crime

prison escape
escaped convict
flee the scene
elude capture

Safety

fire escape
escape route
escape plan
narrow escape

Computing

escape key
escape sequence
exit
cancel

Memory

it escapes me
escape notice
slip my mind
forgotten

Inicios de conversación

"Where would you go if you could have a dream escape for a week?"

"Have you ever had a narrow escape from a dangerous situation?"

"What is your favorite way to escape from reality when you are stressed?"

"Do you think people use social media as an escape too much?"

"Has a famous person's name ever escaped you during a conversation?"

Temas para diario

Describe a time you felt you needed to escape from a situation. What did you do?

Write about a fictional prison escape. How does the character get out?

Is escapism (through books or movies) a good or bad thing for society?

Think about a detail that once escaped your notice but later became important.

What does 'freedom' mean to you in the context of escaping something?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Use 'escape from' for physical locations (prison, room). Use 'escape' alone for avoiding consequences or events (punishment, accident).

Yes, it can mean the act of getting free (a prison escape) or a way to relax (a weekend escape).

It is a polite way to say you have forgotten someone's name temporarily.

It is pronounced /ɪˈskeɪp/. Avoid saying 'ex-cape' with an 'x' sound.

Escapism is the habit of seeking distraction from unpleasant realities, usually through fantasy or entertainment.

It is a part of a contract that allows someone to get out of the agreement under certain conditions.

Yes, 'escape' is very commonly used for pets or wild animals getting out of cages or enclosures.

It is a situation where someone almost got hurt or caught but managed to get away at the last moment.

It is a neutral word that can be used in almost any context, from casual talk to formal writing.

Common opposites include 'remain,' 'stay,' or 'be captured'.

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