escape attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escape attempt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an effort made by someone to flee from a place, often in the context of prisons or captivity. An example would be: "The prisoner was caught during his escape attempt." Alternative expressions include "fleeing effort" and "breakout attempt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An escape attempt, maybe.

The Guardian - Arts

A brave minister leads the escape attempt.

The New York Times

Their first escape attempt entailed hiding in a shower drain.

The Guardian

In truth, I expected the escape attempt to fail quickly.

The New York Times

A police vehicle blocking the gates stopped the escape attempt.

The New York Times

He survived a failed escape attempt and was freed in April 1945.

The New York Times - Books

According to this plan, the escape attempt would start at exactly 8 P.M.

The New Yorker

But his escape attempt is also a deliberate process of stripping himself to something elemental.

The New York Times

The movie's most powerful scene is a failed group escape attempt organized by Brendan.

The New York Times

Musab had been inspired by the recent escape attempt of his fellow Syrian, Ahmed.

The Guardian

But news of a previous escape attempt was not all that greeted the prosecutor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair with descriptive adjectives like 'botched', 'daring', 'foiled' or 'failed' to provide immediate context to the reader regarding the outcome of the event

Common error

Avoid using "escape attempt" if you are describing a situation where the person has already successfully reached safety and is no longer being pursued. In those cases, use 'successful escape' or 'breakout'. Using 'attempt' can sometimes imply that the effort did not succeed

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escape attempt" functions as a compound noun where 'escape' acts as an attributive noun modifying the head noun 'attempt'. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it consistently appears in the direct object position (e.g., 'thwarted an "escape attempt"') or as part of a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'during an "escape attempt"'). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity as a standard construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "escape attempt" is a robust and widely accepted noun phrase used to describe the act of trying to flee from confinement. Ludwig AI indicates that it is Correct and Very common, particularly within News & Media and Wiki domains. While it can technically refer to any effort to leave, it carries a strong connotation of being intercepted or failing, often modified by adjectives like 'failed' or 'botched'. For writers, it serves as a precise way to focus on the action of fleeing without necessarily confirming the outcome. Alternatives like "escape bid" or "breakout attempt" can be used to vary the tone or provide more specific context about the environment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakout attempt

Focuses specifically on the forceful exit from a secure facility like a prison

escape bid

A more journalistic term often used in headlines to describe the effort

prison break attempt

Adds specific context regarding the location of the escape

fleeing effort

Emphasizes the act of running away rather than the breach of a perimeter

getaway attempt

Commonly used in the context of a crime or a pursuit involving a vehicle

flight attempt

A more formal or clinical way to describe an attempt to run away

breakout try

A less formal variant using 'try' as a noun

evasion attempt

Focuses on the effort to avoid capture or detection

absconding attempt

A legal or technical term used when someone fails to report or leaves a designated area

dash for freedom

An idiomatic and more dramatic way to describe a sudden escape effort

FAQs

What can I say instead of "escape attempt"?

Depending on the specific situation, you can use alternatives like "breakout attempt", "escape bid" or "fleeing effort".

Is "escape attempt" formal enough for news reporting?

Yes, it is a standard term in journalism. If you want a more punchy headline, you might choose "escape bid", while a legal report might use "attempted absconding".

How do I use "escape attempt" in a sentence?

A common way to use it is: 'The guards were able to thwart the prisoner's "escape attempt" at the last moment.' You can also use it as a subject: 'His daring "escape attempt" became a local legend.'

What is the difference between "escape attempt" and "breakout"?

While an "escape attempt" refers to the effort (regardless of success), a "breakout" usually implies that the perimeter was actually breached, often with force or by multiple people.