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Glite Dictionary
to evacuate the building

to evacuate the building

11 3.4
To move people out of a building for safety during an emergency
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt ðə ˈbɪl.dɪŋ/
translation icon : evacuar el edificio
  • In case of an emergency, all employees must evacuate the building quickly and safely.
  • evacuate the building immediately
  • Please evacuate the building
  • personnel evacuate the building

Examples

Synonyms

to get out of here
vsto evacuate the building
  • Informal
∞ 3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

involves organized removal for safety under emergency not informal quick leaving
to evacuate
vsto evacuate the building
344 4.1

To move people out of a place because it is dangerous, for example during a fire

is specific to removing people from an enclosed structure in emergencies
to vacate
vsto evacuate the building
52 4.5

Leave a place or job so it is free for someone else

is aimed at getting people out for safety reasons not freeing a position
to evacuate the area
vsto evacuate the building
6 4.1

Leave a place because it is dangerous or officials tell you to

is focused on removing people from an enclosed structure rather than a general place

Antonyms

to stay
∞ 1.0

To remain in one place and not leave

to occupy
92 3.3

To fill space or time

How Complete

to clear out
91 3.1
to evacuate the building
11 3.4
to usher out
3 5.1

Surface Forms

evacuate the building infinitive
evacuated the building past
evacuated the building past participle
evacuating the building present participle
evacuates the building third person singular

Morphology

evacuate + the + building

The meaning 'to remove people from a building for safety' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'evacuate' (to move people to safety) with 'building' (a physical edifice); the definite article 'the' only marks the noun. This verb + object composition is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase evacuate the building comes from the simple idea of making the building empty: picture everyone leaving so the rooms and hallways are clear. That's why it means 'to remove people for safety' during an emergency.