perminovakseniia/Envato Elements
Chape poul
Meaning
To leave, run away, or escape from a situation, often quickly.
It may be used when someone leaves to avoid danger, trouble, or an unwanted situation.
Translation: To run away; to flee; to make a quick exit
Literal Meaning: To escape one's chicken
Example 1
Vòlè a tou chape poul li lè l tande lapolis.
The thief immediately ran away when he heard the police.
Example 2
Si w tande moun sa yo ap diskite, chape poul ou anvan yo kòmanse goumen.
If you hear those people arguing, get out of there before they start fighting.
Fun Facts
The expression chape poul is commonly followed by a possessive pronoun:
Chape poul mwen — I escape or make my exit
Chape poul ou — You escape or make your exit
Chape poul li — He or she escapes or makes an exit
The expression is not exactly the same as the English expression chicken out. To chicken out means to avoid doing something because of fear.
Chape poul simply focuses on leaving or escaping, often quickly. It does not necessarily imply that the person is a coward.