escape hatch

noun

1. a hatch used for emergency escape, as from a submarine or aircraft.
2. a means of avoiding a troublesome situation; a ready or handy way out.

escape hatch

noun

1. a means of escape in an emergency, esp from a submarine

Word History and Origins

Origin of escape hatch¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

San Diego is betting a state anti-corruption law can be an escape hatch from two city leases that a real estate guru it had considered a volunteer received more than $9 million to help execute.

From Voice of San Diego

If only John Kerry had been aware of this linguistic escape hatch.

From The Daily Beast

Mami—this is one of the conventional parts of the story—did stress education, and Sonia knew it was her escape hatch.

From The Daily Beast

Heller leaves one big escape hatch from this nihilistic frame.

From The Daily Beast

The hard-pressed countries of the eurozone have an escape hatch: They can quit the euro currency.

From The Daily Beast

Stuck between two unpopular options on a controversial oil pipeline, President Obama finds an escape hatch.

From The Daily Beast

He motioned the others to stand back and began opening the dogs which secured the escape hatch.

From Project Gutenberg

Rip smashed at the escape hatch above his head, grabbed propulsion tubes from the rack, and called, "Now!"

From Project Gutenberg

Back toward the trailing edge then, to a small escape-hatch beside which was fastened a dull black ball.

From Project Gutenberg

Winter staggered to the escape hatch and stood by it, waiting for the others.

From Project Gutenberg

The light over the escape hatch indicated that someone had gone out.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• side door