escape hatch

noun

1

: a hatch providing an emergency exit from an enclosed space

2

: a means of evading a difficulty, dilemma, or responsibility

Examples of escape hatch in a Sentence

the escape hatch of a submarine

Recent Examples on the Web

But the sack totals declined as quarterbacks found escape hatches against a secondary that had to live in more predictable zone looks due to the personnel. —Nate Atkins, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026

The deadly incident led to widespread reform and congressional action to regulate the small passenger-boat industry, with new requirements for escape hatches, smoke detectors and other safety measures. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

Further testing discovered a hole in a steel pipe within the well, about 2,700 feet deep, a potential escape hatch for oil field wastewater. —Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026

Darnold has struggled against pressure throughout his career, but Smith-Njigba is an elite route-runner who always seems to be open, which gives Darnold an escape hatch. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for escape hatch

• attach
• bycatch
• despatch
• detach
• dispatch
• mismatch
• nuthatch
• potlatch
• toothache
• bache
• batch
• brach