making an escape

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making an escape" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone or something getting away quickly or secretly. For example: "The bank robber made an escape in a stolen car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

By not indicating a break between the actual events of the hanging and the fantasy of the condemned man, the film deceives the audience, until the very end, into thinking he is making an escape.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Gordon's song, "Sugar Shack," also hints at the breakup as he sings about falling off a cliff and making an escape, using a Caribbean lilt that switches into an odd-meter calypso.

The New York Times

The other long track, We Drift Like Worried Fire, is more abstract but no less suggestive: it is the sound of innocent people being hounded by malevolent social forces but somehow, together, making an escape.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Music

This summer, the city filed for bankruptcy, and its remaining residents have been portrayed as hostages unable to make an escape.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making an escape" when you want to emphasize the act of fleeing or getting away from a dangerous or undesirable situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "making an escape" can sound informal in highly formal writing. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "evading" or "fleeing" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making an escape" functions as a verbal noun phrase, where "making" acts as a gerund, turning the verb into a noun. It describes the action of escaping from a particular situation or place. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

3%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making an escape" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verbal noun phrase that describes the act of fleeing or evading a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it tends to be more frequent in News & Media and Wiki contexts, while less formal or scientific writing might benefit from more precise alternatives such as "evading capture" or "absconding". The phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for various communication styles, though writers should consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting away

A more casual way to describe avoiding a difficult or dangerous situation.

escaping the situation

Highlights the act of getting free from undesirable circumstances.

making a getaway

Focuses on successfully fleeing, often after committing a crime.

fleeing the scene

Focuses on the act of running away from a specific location.

slipping away

Implies a subtle and unnoticed departure.

evading capture

Emphasizes the avoidance of being caught or apprehended.

running off

Suggests a hasty and often unauthorized departure.

breaking free

Suggests overcoming constraints or imprisonment to gain freedom.

finding a way out

Emphasizes the process of discovering a means of evasion.

absconding

Implies a secretive and often unlawful departure.

FAQs

What does "making an escape" mean?

The phrase "making an escape" refers to the act of getting away from a dangerous, confining, or otherwise undesirable situation.

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

You can use alternatives like "fleeing the scene", "escaping the situation", or "getting away" depending on the context.

Is "making an escape" formal or informal?

The phrase "making an escape" is generally considered neutral to informal. More formal alternatives might include "evading capture" or "absconding".

How to use "making an escape" in a sentence?

You can use "making an escape" in a sentence like this: "The prisoner was caught while "making a getaway" from the high-security facility".