escape hatch

American  

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.

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escape hatch British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of escape hatch

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

While the mechanics may be complicated, the upshot for savers is clear—anyone worried about declining saving account rates now has an escape hatch.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

There’s a reluctance baked into Bravo obsession, like an escape hatch one can use when their favorite shows start to dull — and they always will, even if their quality eventually turns back around.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

Nor is resignation an escape hatch for most military officers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Red warning lights flash above the door, and inside there is an emergency escape hatch into a tunnel in case something went wrong.

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2025

There was room for an additional escape hatch right there in the nose of a B-25, but there was no escape hatch.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

• side door