flee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flee" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of running away from a place or situation, often to escape danger or avoid something undesirable. Example: "When the storm approached, the villagers had to flee to higher ground for safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Syria's civil war has intensified, thousands of children have died in brutal attacks and many more have been injured, traumatised or forced to flee their homes.

The Guardian

Suspense builds up until (*spoiler alert*) Mount Vesuvius erupts in a red column of flame, showering fiery rain down on the children and forcing them to flee for their lives.

The Guardian

Yanukovych appeared in a video address on Saturday evening claiming he was still the president, but he has lost the support of most of his party and his main goal now will probably be to flee the country without being arrested.

The Guardian

And for them it's the same thing so they flee into neighbouring territories".

The Guardian

A Turkish official said a brigadier general was among 1,000 Syrians to flee across the border in the last 24 hours, Reuters reports.

The Guardian

When, at the end, the character Ferdinand urges Salim to flee for his life, he does so in language that seems to open a window on to Naipaul's inner vision: "We're all going to hell, and every man knows this in his bones.

The Guardian - Books

He acknowledged and apologised for his administration's promotion of dumping cheap US rice on Haiti, thereby destroying Haitian rice production and forcing rice farmers to flee to the overcrowded cities. Buttonholed in a UN hallway, he claims he thought that Haitians would "get aid to skip agricultural development and go straight into an industrial era".

The Guardian - Opinion

But consular officials in Colombo are refusing to allow the donor to enter Britain because they claim she is simply seeking an excuse to flee Sri Lanka.

The Guardian

Over 200,000 people have been killed and a staggering 11 million have been forced to flee their homes.

The Guardian

In 1971-72 Ruiz was a film adviser to the Socialist party in Allende's coalition, but was forced to flee the country during the coup d'etat of 1973.

The Guardian - Film

Those early attempts to flee from being Antony Sher were useful when it came to being Gellburg, a man uncomfortable in his own skin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flee" to convey a sense of urgency or danger when escaping. It's more formal and impactful than simply "run away".

Common error

Avoid using "flee" in situations where the escape is leisurely or planned. "Flee" implies a sudden and often panicked departure from a dangerous situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flee" is as an intransitive verb, meaning it typically does not take a direct object. However, it can be followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the place or situation being escaped. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flee" is a versatile verb used to describe a rapid escape, usually from a dangerous or undesirable situation. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in news reports and formal writing. While synonyms like "escape" and "run away" exist, "flee" carries a stronger sense of urgency. Usage analysis, including the authoritative feedback from Ludwig AI, confirms that "flee" is best used to convey an immediate and often panicked departure. Remember to avoid using it for leisurely or planned departures, and ensure the context warrants the sense of danger it implies. By understanding its proper usage, you can effectively communicate the urgency and impact of escape scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escape

Implies getting free from confinement or danger, similar to "flee" but can also be used in less urgent situations.

run away

A more common and general way to express escaping, but potentially lacking the urgency of "flee".

take flight

A more figurative way to describe escaping, often implying a swift departure.

bolt

Implies a sudden and rapid escape, often from fear or surprise.

abscond

Suggests a secret or hurried departure, often to avoid legal consequences.

retreat

Suggests withdrawing from an enemy or dangerous situation, often in a military context.

evacuate

Implies an organized departure from a dangerous area, often involving a large group of people.

decamp

To break up or leave a camp; depart suddenly.

make off

To leave quickly, usually after stealing something.

fly the coop

An informal way of saying to escape or leave a place, especially secretly.

FAQs

How to use "flee" in a sentence?

The word "flee" typically implies a rapid escape from a dangerous situation. For example: "They had to "flee" the country due to the ongoing war."

What can I say instead of "flee"?

You can use alternatives like "escape", "run away", or "take flight" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "flee" and "escape"?

"Flee" often suggests a more immediate danger and panicked departure, while "escape" can imply a more planned or strategic avoidance of something.

Which is correct, "flee from" or "flee"?

While "flee from" is sometimes used, it's more common and grammatically sound to simply use ""flee"" followed by the place or situation being escaped, e.g., "flee the country".