out

Universal Words adverb, preposition, noun, verb adverb, preposition HELPNOTE For 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. 1 ~ (of sth) 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 sb to leave a room) * (spoken, non-standard) He ran out the door. 2 ~ (of sth) (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. 3 ~ (of sth) away from the edge of a place: The boy dashed out into the road. * Don't lean out of the window. 4 ~ (of sth) 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. 5 ~ (of sth) used to show that sth/sb 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. 6 ~ of sth used to show that sth comes from or is obtained from sth/sb: 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. 7 ~ of sth used to show that sb/sth does not have any of sth: We're out of milk. * He's been out of work for six months. * You're out of luck-she left ten minutes ago. 8 ~ of sth used to show that sb/sth 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. 9 ~ (of sth) used to show that sb is no longer involved in sth: 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 semi-finals but Lee is out. 10 ~ of sth used to show the reason why sth is done: I asked out of curiosity. * She did it out of spite. 11 ~ of sth 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 sb else: The book you wanted is out on loan. 13 (of the TIDE) at or towards its lowest point on land: I like walking on the wet sand when the tide is out. 14 if 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. 16 available 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) 17 clearly and loudly so that people can hear: to call / cry / shout out * Read it out loud. * Nobody spoke out in his defence. 18 (informal) having told other people that you are HOMOSEXUAL: I had been out since I was 17. 19 (in cricket, baseball, etc.) if a team or team member is out, it is no longer their turn with the bat: The West Indies were all out for 364 (= after scoring 364 RUNS in cricket). 20 (in tennis, etc.) if the ball is out, it landed outside the line: The umpire said the ball was out. 21 ~ (in sth) not correct or exact; wrong: I was slightly out in my calculations. * Your guess was a long way out (= completely wrong). * The estimate was out by more than $100. 22 not possible or not allowed: Swimming is out until the weather gets warmer. 23 not fashionable: Is rap out yet? 24 (of fire, lights or burning materials) not or no longer burning or lit: Suddenly all the lights went out. * The fire had burnt itself out. * He stubbed his cigarette out. 25 at an end: It was summer and school was out. * She was to regret her words before the day was out. 26 unconscious: He was out for more than an hour and came round in the hospital. * She was knocked out cold. 27 (BrE, informal) on strike: The dockers stayed out for several months. 28 to the end; completely: Hear me out before you say anything. * We left them to fight it out (= settle a dispute by fighting or arguing). seealsoALL-OUT IDIOMS be out for sth / to do sth to be trying to get or do sth: 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. out and about (BrE) 1 able to go outside again after an illness 2 travelling around a place: We've been out and about talking to people all over the country. out of it (informal) 1 sad because you are not included in sth: We've only just moved here so we feel a little out of it. 2 not aware of what is happening, usually because of drinking too much alcohol, or taking drugs: He looks completely out of it. noun IDIOMS see INn. verb [VN] to say publicly that sb is HOMOSEXUAL, especially when they would prefer to keep the fact a secret: He is the latest politician to be outed by gay activists.