Flee: meaning, definitions and examples

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flee

[fliː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

leaving quickly

To run away from a place or situation of danger. To escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

Synonyms

abscond, bolt, escape, run away.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flee	Flee is often used when someone leaves a place quickly due to imminent danger or threat. They had to flee their home when the war began. The villagers fled from the approaching hurricane.
escape	Escape is used when someone succeeds in getting away from confinement, danger, or a difficult situation. The prisoners planned their escape for months. He managed to escape from the burning building.
run away	Run away is often used when someone leaves a place or situation, typically to avoid problems or difficulties, and sometimes with a hint of irresponsibility. The teenager ran away from home after a fight with his parents. The dog ran away when the gate was left open.
bolt	Bolt implies a sudden, quick movement away from something, often associated with an intense reaction like fear or surprise. The horse bolted when it heard the gunshot. The thief bolted when he saw the police officer.
abscond	Abscond is usually used in a legal context or when someone leaves suddenly and secretly to avoid arrest or prosecution. The accountant absconded with the company’s funds. He absconded from parole supervision.

Examples of usage

The thief fled from the scene of the crime.
She fled the burning building to save her life.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

act of fleeing

An act of running away or escaping from danger. The act of leaving a place quickly to avoid harm.

Synonyms

departure, escape, evacuation, flight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flee	Use this word when someone is running away quickly to avoid danger or a threat. It often implies a sense of urgency and fear. The villagers had to flee from the approaching floodwaters. She decided to flee the country to avoid persecution.
escape	Use this when someone succeeds in getting away from confinement, danger, or an unpleasant situation. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses. The prisoner managed to escape from the high-security prison. Reading is his escape from reality.
flight	This term refers to the act of fleeing or running away, often in a formal or literary context. It can also refer to the act of flying or leaving via airplane. Their flight from the city was frantic and poorly organized. Her flight to New York leaves tomorrow morning.
departure	This word indicates a general act of leaving a place. It does not imply urgency or danger and is formal in tone. Her departure from the company was unexpected. The flight's departure is scheduled for 10 AM.
evacuation	This word is used in scenarios where people are removed from a dangerous place, often in an organized manner. It is commonly associated with emergency situations. The evacuation of the town was ordered due to the wildfire. The building had to be evacuated during the fire drill.

Examples of usage

The police chase ended with the suspect's flee.
Her flee from the burning house was captured on camera.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Old English 'flygan', which means 'to run away' or 'to escape.'
Related words in other languages, like 'fliehen' in German, show the common roots of fleeing in language.
The root of this word can also be found in the Old Norse word 'flýja', emphasizing its long history in expressing escape.

Literature

In many fairy tales, characters often flee dangers like witches or giants, showcasing the instinct to avoid threats.
Fleeing occurs frequently in epic poetry, such as in 'The Iliad,' where heroes run from battles to save their lives.
In modern novels, the theme of fleeing often symbolizes a quest for freedom or self-discovery.

Culture

Fleeing is a central theme in many movies, where protagonists must escape from villains or dangerous situations, emphasizing survival.
In history, migration often occurred because people had to flee their homes due to war or persecution, shaping cultures and societies.
Various dance forms, such as ballet, often incorporate movements resembling fleeing to express emotions like fear or urgency.

Psychology

The 'fight or flight' response explains how humans react to danger by either confronting it (fight) or running away (flee).
Studies show that fleeing from danger triggers adrenaline, making the body react quickly without thinking.
Psychologically, the instinct to flee can also relate to avoiding stressful situations or fear in everyday life.

Pop Culture

Video games often feature characters that must flee from monsters or dangers, making the act of fleeing a gameplay mechanic.
Songs in popular culture frequently reference fleeing as a metaphor for escaping emotional struggles or toxic relationships.
The concept of fleeing is popularized in movies like 'The Fugitive,' where the main character must escape from the law to prove innocence.

Translations

Translations of the word "flee" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fugir

🇮🇳 भागना

🇩🇪 fliehen

🇮🇩 melarikan diri

🇺🇦 втекти

🇵🇱 uciekać

🇯🇵 逃げる (にげる)

🇫🇷 fuir

🇪🇸 huir

🇹🇷 kaçmak

🇰🇷 도망치다

🇸🇦 هرب

🇨🇿 utéct

🇸🇰 utiecť

🇨🇳 逃跑 (táopǎo)

🇸🇮 pobegniti

🇮🇸 flýja

🇰🇿 қашу

🇬🇪 გაქცევა

🇦🇿 qaçmaq

🇲🇽 huir

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,894 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9891 crank
9892 glue
9893 tuning
9894 flee
9895 donated
9896 despatch
9897 constable
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