# escaping

/ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛskˈeɪpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/escaping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. getting free

verb · CEFR A2

getting away from a place where you are held, like a prison or a dangerous situation.

For teachers: the act of breaking free from confinement, control, or a hazardous environment.

- The police are still searching for the prisoners who are escaping through the woods.
- Escaping from the burning building required immense courage and a clear understanding of the emergency exits.

### 2. avoiding something

verb · CEFR B1

avoiding something unpleasant or boring.

For teachers: the act of avoiding or eluding a specific responsibility, reality, or unpleasant sensation.

- He spent the whole weekend reading as a way of escaping his stressful job.
- Many people find that listening to music is an effective method of escaping the mundane pressures of daily life.

### 3. leaking out

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the act of a gas, liquid, or sound leaking out of a container.

For teachers: the physical emission or leakage of a substance or energy from a confined space.

- The engineer noticed a small amount of gas escaping from the pipe.
- The rapid escaping of steam from the safety valve indicated that the pressure inside the boiler had reached a critical level.

## Examples

- He is escaping the heat by going to the mountains.
- The prisoner was caught while escaping through a small window in the back of the cell.
- By focusing entirely on her painting, she found a way of escaping the mundane pressures of her corporate career and rediscovering her creative identity.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.