flee
verb/ˈfliː/ · [ˈflɪi̯]
Etymology From Middle English flen, from Old English flēon, from Proto-West Germanic *fleuhan, from Proto-Germanic *fleuhaną, from Proto-Indo-European *plewk-, *plew- (“to fly, flow, run”). Cognate with Dutch vlieden, German fliehen, Icelandic flýja, Swedish fly, Gothic 𐌸𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐌰𐌽 (þliuhan). Within English, related to fly and more distantly to flow.
1
To run away; to escape.
- The prisoner tried to flee, but was caught by the guards.
- The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bolde as a lyon.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 28:1:
3 more examples
- As they turned into Hertford Street they startled a robin from the poet's head on a barren fountain, and he fled away with a cameo note.1922, Michael Arlen, “Ep./4/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:
- When, however, the plant spirits were not strong enough in themselves, then the family called in the Medicine Man. He appeared, a "monster of so frightful mien", with noise making apparatus which produced such a terrifying din that even the hardiest demon was likely to flee.1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 254:
- Huntingdon's ferocity makes the reaction of staff all the more brave. To move towards danger when others are fleeing is the definition of bravery in my book. To place yourself in danger to protect others.2025 November 12, Philip Haigh, “High praise for rail staff's courage and clear thinking”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 50:
2
To escape from.
- Many people fled the country as war loomed.
- Thousands of people moved northward trying to flee the drought.
1 more example
- The Government, having lit the fuse, is not going to be allowed to flee the explosion.1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Passed to you, Mr. Macmillan”, in Modern Railways, page 220:
3
To disappear quickly; to vanish; to fleet.
- Ethereal products flee once freely exposed to air.
- Synonyms
52 terms
abscond, absquatulate, amscray, beat a retreat, beat it, beat feet, blow this popsicle stand, bolt, book it, dine and dash, do a bunk, do a flit, do a moonlight flit, do a runner, flee, fly the coop, jump, gas and dash, get lost, get out, gnash, head for the hills, hightail, hightail it, hit the road, kick rocks, leg it, make a break for it, make a run for it, make tracks, namous, peg it, rabbit, run a mile, run away, run for the hills, run off, scamper, scat, scarper, shemozzle, scram, skedaddle, smash and dash, take a powder, take flight, take off, take to one's heels, take to the hills, tear off, turn tail, vamoose- Derived terms
- beflee, everfleeing, fill and flee, fleeable, fleer, outflee, unfleeing