1.
road mirage; heat mirage
A shimmering illusion of water on a hot road or field that recedes as you approach it, caused by heated air bending light near the surface.
夏の道に逃げ水が見えた。
A road mirage appeared on the summer road.
遠くの道路に逃げ水が光っている。
A mirage is shimmering on the distant road.
近づいても逃げ水はどんどん遠ざかっていく。
Even as you approach, the road mirage keeps receding into the distance.
An optical illusion in which hot air just above a road surface bends light, so a patch of 'water' seems to lie ahead and flee (逃げる) as one approaches. A common summer sight on paved roads.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 逃げ水が見える: a road mirage appears
- 逃げ水を追う: to chase a mirage (also figurative: to pursue something unattainable)