entkommen
Translation
to escape, to get away, to evade
Examples
Der Dieb konnte der Polizei entkommen.
The thief was able to escape from the police.
Er ist dem Tod nur knapp entkommen.
He narrowly escaped death.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.dat)) to escape (from sb./sth.) The prisoner escaped from the guards.
Similar Words
fliehen, flüchten, entweichen; Antonyms: fangen, erwischen
Etymology
From the prefix 'ent-' (away from) + 'kommen' (to come). Literally 'to come away from', hence 'to escape'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ent-' as 'entering' a new, free space by 'kommen' (coming) away from danger.