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
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
There's always an escape hatch.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
For Megan, romance books became an escape hatch.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
Harbaugh needed an escape hatch, and go back to the NFL was seemingly his exit.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escape hatch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
There's always an escape hatch.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
For Megan, romance books became an escape hatch.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
Harbaugh needed an escape hatch, and go back to the NFL was seemingly his exit.
—Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for escape hatch
Cite this Entry
“Escape hatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escape%20hatch. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
