escape artist
Chains won't hold
An escape artist is a performer who specializes in freeing themselves from restraints—handcuffs, straitjackets, locked containers, or other confinement.
Houdini remains the most famous.
Figuratively, an escape artist is anyone adept at evading obligations, blame, or difficult situations: He's an escape artist when it comes to paying his share.
Famous escape artist
- straitjacketGarment restricting arm movement
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- lockpicksLock-opening implements
restraints · manacles · binds · extrication · disentanglement · unshackling · contortionist · chains
Intentional focus manipulation
- sleightDexterous trickery
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- secretConcealed information
- concealmentAct of hiding something
gimmick · trick · prestidigitation · conjuring · illusionist · magician · false bottom · palming
Raised performance platform
- spectacleVisually striking event
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
- entertainerOne who amuses others
vaudeville · act · routine · theater · spotlight · applause · stunt performer · cabaret
Act of escaping detection
- elusionSkillful avoidance of capture
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
- wriggle outEscape by twisting
dodge · avoidance · commitment-phobe · accountability · loophole · getaway · vanishing act · disappearing act
Emergency response hormone
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dangerExposure to harm
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- nail-bitingExtremely tense or anxious
edge-of-seat · death-defying · high-stakes · cliffhanger · gasp · breathless · countdown · tension
Houdini
Famous escape artist
- straitjacketGarment restricting arm movement
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
lockpicks · restraints · manacles · binds · extrication · disentanglement · unshackling · contortionist · chains · padlocks
misdirection
Intentional focus manipulation
concealment · gimmick · trick · prestidigitation · conjuring · illusionist · magician · false bottom · palming · setup
stage
Raised performance platform
- spectacleVisually striking event
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
entertainer · vaudeville · act · routine · theater · spotlight · applause · stunt performer · cabaret · circus
evasion
Act of escaping detection
- elusionSkillful avoidance of capture
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- slipperyLacking friction, hard-to-grasp
wriggle out · dodge · avoidance · commitment-phobe · accountability · loophole · getaway · vanishing act · disappearing act · bail out
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dangerExposure to harm
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
nail-biting · edge-of-seat · death-defying · high-stakes · cliffhanger · gasp · breathless · countdown · tension · close call
Harry Houdini
innovator · skeptic · biography · David Blaine · influence · homage · tribute · imitator · successor
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- circus actsacrobat, acrobats, juggling, jugglers, clown
- daredevilsbase jumper, stuntwoman, stuntman, cliff diver, stunt driver
- performance skillsmagic, illusions, sleight of hand, juggling, mime
- performersactor, dancer, actress, singer, musician
- Street Performersbusker, street performer, street singer, street dancer, juggler
escape artistcaptive
One held by force
prisoner · inmate · hostage · sitting duck · detainee
escape artistjailer
Prison guard
captor · warden · prison guard · bounty hunter · pursuer
escape, artist, artistic, escaped, escapes, artistry, artisan, escaping, escapee