Word
flee
Meanings
to run away or leave quickly in order to escape danger or something unpleasant
to escape from a place or situation by leaving it quickly
Definition
To flee means to run away quickly to escape danger or an unwanted situation.
To flee is to leave a place suddenly and quickly, usually because you feel threatened or want to avoid trouble. It often suggests urgency and fear rather than a calm decision. You can flee from a person, a place, or a situation, and you can also flee to a safer location.
Examples
- I had to flee the station when the crowd surged and the situation turned chaotic.
- You can’t just flee every difficult conversation; sometimes you need to stay and explain your choices.
- He decided to flee the city overnight after realizing he was being followed.
- She managed to flee from the burning kitchen, coughing but staying focused on getting outside.
- They tried to flee the campsite when the storm rolled in without warning.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "flee" (escape by running away) with "fly" (travel through the air or by plane).
More at C1 level
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More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.