Cool MateEscape vs Run away
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Escape
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Run away
| Escape | Run away | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈskeɪp/","/ɪˈskeɪps/","/ɪˈskeɪpt/","/ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈskeɪp/","/ɪˈskeɪps/","/ɪˈskeɪpt/","/ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/"]/ | |
| Meaning | To get away from a place or situation. | |
| Example | They managed to escape from the dangerous situation. | - |
| Register | Neutral | - |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | - |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | barely, just, narrowly, cannot, be impossible to, be easy to, from, into, to, escape alive, escape somebody’s clutches, escape from it all, barely, just, narrowly, cannot, be impossible to, be easy to, from, into, to, escape alive, escape somebody’s clutches, escape from it all, barely, just, narrowly, cannot, be impossible to, be easy to, from, into, to, escape alive, escape somebody’s clutches, escape from it all | - |
| Antonyms | trap, contain, imprison | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'elude', using them interchangeably., Using 'escape' as a noun without the correct context., Incorrect verb form, for example, saying 'escaped' when referring to a continuous action. | - |
| Usage notes | Use 'escape' in both formal and informal contexts. It's suitable for discussing situations like prisoners escaping or someone avoiding a difficult situation. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler words like 'run away' might fit better. | - |
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Frequently asked questions: Escape vs Run away
What's the difference between Escape and Run away?
Escape: To get away from a place or situation. Run away:
Can I use Escape and Run away interchangeably?
Not always. Escape and Run away are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.