Échappe

Échappe is a French term that appears in everyday language as a verb form and, in ballet, as a technical term with a specific meaning. In French grammar, échappe is the third-person singular present tense of the verb échapper, meaning “he escapes” or “she escapes.” The related noun échappé and the participial forms appear in various contexts, including escape routes or escapes from danger.

In ballet, the term is most commonly encountered in the form échappé (accent on the final e), describing a basic movement of the feet. An échappé is a transition from a closed position to an open position, most often from fifth position to second position, performed with a demi-plié and a smooth transfer of weight. The feet move outward, the legs stretch to the open position, and the body remains upright, producing a controlled, sliding separation rather than a wide jump.

There are several common variants of the échappé. An échappé relevé ends in a raised position, or relevé, rather than landing flat on the feet. An échappé sauté is a light, small jump from a closed to an open position, landing softly in plié or in a prepared open position. These variations are foundational in ballet technique and are typically taught early in training to develop turnout, balance, and coordination.

The term reflects the French origin of classical ballet vocabulary and remains a standard reference in technique manuals and class instruction. While échappe appears in general French, its ballet usage specifically denotes the controlled outward escape of the feet from a closed to an open stance.