escrow

IPA/ˈes.krəʊ/
KK[ˈɛskro]IPA/ˈes.kroʊ/

escrow — noun

1. 一種由中立第三方（託管人）代為保管金錢、財產或文件的法律協議安排，直到合約雙方所約定的某項條件滿足為止。

1.名詞B2
釋義

一種由中立第三方（託管人）代為保管金錢、財產或文件的法律協議安排，直到合約雙方所約定的某項條件滿足為止。

例句

Emma and Diego signed an escrow with the title company to hold the money until the house sale closed.

signed an escrow + title company

The lawyer explained that the escrow would protect both parties during the transfer of the business.

同義詞

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (HELD FUNDS OR PROPERTY): sense 1 names the legal arrangement, whereas sense 2 names the assets held under that arrangement. Frequently appears with 'an' as a countable noun in formal legal writing, though uncountable use is common in everyday contexts.

常見錯誤

❌We put the money in an escrow' (when referring to the arrangement itself).
✅We put the money in escrow.
💡'escrow' as an uncountable arrangement does not take 'an'; use 'escrow agreement' for the countable form.
❌The escrow is the money the bank holds.
✅The escrow is the legal arrangement; the money held is the escrow funds.
💡The term describes the system, not just the assets.

2. 由第三方代為保管的款項、財產或相關文件，在合約所約定的條件滿足後才會移轉給應得的一方。

2.名詞B2
釋義

由第三方代為保管的款項、財產或相關文件，在合約所約定的條件滿足後才會移轉給應得的一方。

例句

The insurance company placed the settlement money in escrow until the court approved the agreement.

placed [money] in escrow

Wei's down payment is being held in escrow by the real estate agent's office.

held in escrow by [agent]

同義詞
  • earnest money

    specifically the deposit a home buyer pays to show seriousness; a type of escrow in real estate

  • security deposit

    money held as protection against damage or non-payment; different condition structure from escrow

文法句型

in escrow

hold in escrow

用法筆記

Treated as an uncountable mass noun; the modifying phrase 'in escrow' describes the state of the assets. To refer to the money itself, phrases like 'escrow funds' or 'escrow account' are also common.

常見錯誤

❌The escrow is $50,000.
✅The escrow funds are $50,000.
💡'Escrow' alone does not name the money; add 'funds' or specify the account.

3. 房屋買賣過程中，買賣雙方已議定價格且買方已支付訂金，但尚未完成產權查驗、貸款審核等法律程序前的過渡狀態。

3.名詞B2
釋義

房屋買賣過程中，買賣雙方已議定價格且買方已支付訂金，但尚未完成產權查驗、貸款審核等法律程序前的過渡狀態。

例句

The house on Maple Street is in escrow while the bank processes the mortgage application.

[house] is in escrow

Arjun and Fatima were relieved when their offer was accepted and the property went into escrow.

went into escrow

同義詞
  • pending sale

    broader term; does not specifically imply the third-party holding mechanism

  • under contract

    means a purchase agreement is signed; escrow may or may not be involved

文法句型

in escrow

go into escrow

用法筆記

Specific to US residential real estate transactions. The 'escrow period' typically lasts 30–60 days and includes steps such as home inspection, appraisal, title search, and loan approval. Outside North America, different terms (e.g. 'completion period' in the UK) describe this phase.

常見錯誤

❌The house is under escrow.
✅The house is in escrow.
💡The correct preposition is 'in', not 'under'.

4. 房屋買賣過程中，在價格已達成協議且買方已支付訂金之後、但正式完成交易之前，因為某種原因（如貸款未過、驗屋發現重大問題）而導致買賣破局的情況。

4.名詞C1
釋義

房屋買賣過程中，在價格已達成協議且買方已支付訂金之後、但正式完成交易之前，因為某種原因（如貸款未過、驗屋發現重大問題）而導致買賣破局的情況。

例句

The deal fell out of escrow when the buyer could not secure financing from any lender.

fell out of escrow

After the inspection revealed serious foundation cracks, the contract fell out of escrow just a week before closing.

文法句型

fall out of escrow

用法筆記

Always appears in the fixed phrase 'fall out of escrow'. When a deal falls out of escrow, the buyer typically gets their deposit back unless the contract specifies otherwise, though they may forfeit inspection or appraisal fees already paid.

常見錯誤

❌The escrow fell out.
✅The sale fell out of escrow.
💡The escrow arrangement itself does not 'fall'; it is the transaction that falls through.

escrow — verb