- 1For the special uses of out in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example, burst out is in the phrasal verb section at burst. out (of something) away from the inside of a place or thing She ran out into the corridor. She shook the bag and some coins fell out. I got out of bed. He opened the box and out jumped a frog. Out you go! (= used to order someone to leave a room) (informal) He ran out the door.
- 2out (of something) (of people) away from or not at home or their place of work I called Liz but she was out. Let's go out this evening (= for example to a restaurant or club). We haven't had a night out for weeks. Mr. Green is out of town this week.
- 3out (of something) away from the edge of a place The boy dashed out into the road. Don't lean out of the window.
- 4out (of something) a long or a particular distance away from a place or from land She's working out in Australia. He lives right out in the country. The boats are all out at sea. The ship sank ten miles out of Stockholm.
- 5out (of something) used to show that something or someone is removed from a place, job, etc. This detergent is good for getting stains out. We want this government out. He got thrown out of the restaurant.
- 6out of something/somebody used to show that something comes from or is obtained from something or someone He drank his beer out of the bottle. a statue made out of bronze a romance straight out of a fairy tale I paid for the damage out of my savings. We'll get the truth out of her.
- 7out of something used to show that someone or something does not have any of something We're out of milk. He's been out of work for six months. You're out of luck—she left ten minutes ago.
- 8out of something used to show that someone or something is not or no longer in a particular state or condition Try and stay out of trouble. I watched the car until it was out of sight.
- 9out (of something) used to show that someone is no longer involved in something It was an awful job and I'm glad to be out of it. He gets out of the army in a few weeks. They'll be out (= of prison) on bail in no time. Brown goes on to the semifinals but Lee is out.
- 10out of something used to show the reason why something is done I asked out of curiosity. She did it out of spite.
- 11out of something from a particular number or set You scored six out of ten. Two out of three people think the President should resign.
- 12(of a book, etc.) not in the library; borrowed by someone else The book you wanted is out.
- 13(of the tide) at or toward its lowest point on land I like walking on the wet sand when the tide is out.
- 14if the sun, moon, or stars are or come out, they can be seen from the earth and are not hidden by clouds
- 15(of flowers) fully open There should be some snowdrops out by now.
- 16available to everyone; known to everyone When does her new book come out? Word always gets out (= people find out about things) no matter how careful you are. Out with it! (= say what you know)
- 17clearly and loudly so that people can hear to call/cry/shout out Read it out loud. Nobody spoke out in his defense.
- 18(informal) having told other people that you are homosexual I had been out since I was 17.
- 19(in baseball) if a team or team member is out, it is no longer their turn with the bat More Aboutbaseball
- There are nine players on a baseball team. One team is at bat and the other team fields. The pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound and pitches (= throws) the ball to a batter from the other team, who stands next to home plate. The catcher stands behind home plate and catches and returns balls that were not batted to the pitcher.
- The batter tries to score runs (= points) by hitting the ball and running around the four bases, which are at each corner of a 90-foot square called the diamond. The batter can stop at any of the bases and then run on to the next base when the next batter hits the ball. If a batter hits the ball so far forward that it goes out of the field, this is a home run, and the batter is allowed to touch all four bases and automatically gains a point for himself or herself as well as any batter who was standing on a base.
- If the batter tries to hit the ball but misses it, this is called a strike. After three strikes, the batter is out and the next batter comes to bat. The expressions three strikes and you're out and the three strikes rule comes from baseball, and is used to describe a law that says that people who commit three crimes will automatically go to prison.
- If the batter hits the ball behind or anywhere outside first or third base, this is a foul ball and counts as a strike, unless the batter is already on two strikes. If the ball is pitched outside a certain area (= the strike zone) above home plate and the batter does not try to hit it, this is called a ball. If the batter gets four balls, they automatically get to go to first base.
- A batter can also be out if one of the fielders catches the ball after the batter has hit it and it has not touched the ground; if a fielder picks up or catches the ball and steps on one of the bases as the batter is running toward it; or if a fielder tags (= touches) a batter with the ball as the batter is running between bases.
- When the team in the field has had three outs (= gotten three batters out), the teams switch places and the team in the field is now up (= has a turn at bat). One turn of batting for each team is called an inning. One game usually consists of nine innings, at the end of which the team with the most runs is the winner.
- 20(in tennis, etc.) if the ball is out, it landed outside the line The umpire said the ball was out.
- 21not possible or not allowed Swimming is out until the weather gets warmer.
- 22not fashionable Black is out this year.
- 23(of fire, lights, or burning materials) not or no longer burning or lit Suddenly all the lights went out. The fire had burned itself out.
- 24at an end It was summer and school was out. She was to regret her words before the day was out.
- 25unconscious He was out for more than an hour and came around in the hospital. She was knocked out cold.
- 26to the end; completely Hear me out before you say anything. We left them to fight it out (= settle a disagreement by fighting or arguing). see all-out Idioms
- 1able to go outside again after an illness
- 2traveling around a place We've been out and about talking to people all over the country.
- 1sad because you are not included in something We've only just moved here so we feel a little out of it.
- 2not aware of what is happening, usually because of drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs He looks completely out of it.
to be trying to get or do something I'm not out for revenge. She's out for what she can get (= trying to get something for herself). The company is out to capture the Canadian market.
going or leaving As soon as I get my money I'm out of here!
Check pronunciation: out