make an escape

USAGE SUMMARY

"make an escape" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most often used to describe an attempt to get away from a difficult or dangerous situation. For example: The thief made an escape in the middle of the night, leaving no trace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Unsurprisingly, Nick decides it's time to make an escape.

The New York Times - Books

Make an escape plan in case a fire breaks out in your home.

University of California, Berkeley

A lot. I'd have my pocketbook with me at all times in case I had to make an escape".

The Guardian - Music

"I was kind of resigned to being where I was," he said, "unless I wanted to make an escape through five feet of water".

The New York Times

If he thought he was being taken away to be killed, he might try to make an escape, even try to kill the I.S.I. operatives inside the car.

The New York Times - Magazine

McChrystal wasn't interested in such speculation, and wanted to know how two armed soldiers could be captured by Pakistani soldiers, let alone have one make an escape.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"You going to marry her?" "Aw, leave me alone," Quinn said, fondly, before making an escape.

The New Yorker

A very secure crime scene perimeter made an escape unlikely, Brady added.

The Guardian

Attitudes towards LBGT communities are similar in the countries surrounding Iraq, making an escape across borders a dangerous proposition.

The Guardian

She referred to East Anglia, a region in England, as "East Angular," declared that Portugal was in Spain and complained that she was being made an "escape goat".

The New York Times

Investigators found wigs and disguises in his room, raising the possibility that he had considered making an escape after the shooting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make an escape" to describe a deliberate act of creating or finding a way out of a difficult or dangerous situation. It often implies planning and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "escape" as a verb when you want to emphasize the action of planning or creating a means to get away. "Make an escape" highlights the active process, whereas simply using "escape" focuses on the result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an escape" functions as a verbal phrase, where "make" acts as a light verb combined with the noun "escape". This construction emphasizes the action of creating or executing a plan to get away from a difficult or dangerous situation. Examples provided by Ludwig show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make an escape" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a deliberate act of getting away from a difficult or dangerous situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, with frequent appearances in news and media, as well as in wikis and scientific publications. The phrase emphasizes the action and planning involved in the process of escaping. When writing, remember that using "make an escape" focuses on the action of planning or creating a means to get away, highlighting the active process. Alternatives like "flee" or "get away" may be suitable depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effect an escape

Replaces "make" with "effect", making the phrase slightly more formal.

get away

This is a more casual way of saying "escape", suitable for less formal contexts.

escape

This single-word alternative emphasizes the act of getting free from confinement or danger, omitting the proactive effort implied by "make".

flee

Focuses solely on the act of running away, lacking the planning or intention implied in the original phrase.

find an escape route

Emphasizes the planning and discovery of a means to escape rather than the act itself.

break free

Implies a forceful or sudden liberation, often from physical constraints.

run off

This alternative is less formal and often suggests a sudden, unplanned departure.

abscond

Suggests a secretive and often illegal departure, usually involving fleeing from a responsibility or duty.

take flight

Suggests a rapid and often panicked departure.

slip away

Implies a discreet and unnoticed departure.

FAQs

How do you use "make an escape" in a sentence?

The phrase "make an escape" is used to describe the act of getting away from a dangerous or difficult situation, often involving planning or effort. For example, "The prisoners "made an escape" during the night".

What can I say instead of "make an escape"?

You can use alternatives like "flee", "get away", or "break free" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "escape" or "make an escape"?

Using "make an escape" implies a deliberate act of creating or finding a way out, while simply using "escape" focuses on the result of getting away. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the outcome.

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

"Flee" generally refers to running away from danger, while "make an escape" implies a planned or resourceful effort to get away from a confining or dangerous situation.