1. Ichidan verb, Intransitive verb

   to run away; to flee; to get away (e.g. from danger); to escape; to break out; to leave (e.g. one's spouse); to take cover

   囚人が牢獄から逃げた。

2. to avoid (a question, responsibility, etc.); to evade; to dodge; to shirk; to back away

3. to win without being overtaken; to hold off the other contenders (until the finish); to keep the lead (and win)

4. to escape (of heat, a gas, etc.); to leak out (e.g. of a scent); to be lost (e.g. of flavor)

5. to fail to hold an ideal posture

   as 腰が〜 or 体が〜

Also written 遁げる【にげる】nigeru