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Out A
Basic meanings of out in phrasal verbs A very frequent meaning of out is the opposite of in. I don’t want to leave my job but I suppose they may kick me out. [(informal) force me to leave] I’ve had enough of working for such a difficult organisation and I want out. [want to leave] Count me out! I’m far too tired to join the skiing trip today. [don’t include me] Another meaning is when something or part of something extends from its surroundings. The chalet roof juts out (over its walls) to help prevent snow from blocking the doors. [sticks out beyond the edge] The rocky peninsula juts out into the bay. Another meaning is separate. The woman picked out a kitten to take home. [chose one from a large group] We spread our wet clothes out on the grass so they could dry in the sunshine. Another meaning is distribute. Don’t eat all the sweets yourself, Ollie. Share them out among all the children. [give one to each person in the group]
B
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Other meanings of out in phrasal verbs phrasal verb
definition of phrasal verb
example
go out
(of a fire) stop burning
When we woke up in the morning, the campfire still hadn’t gone out.
clean out sb or clean sb out
steal or take everything from a person
The burglars completely cleaned us out.
test out sth or test sth out
see how it works in a practical situation or find out what other people think of it (the out stresses testing something in the environment in which it is intended to be used, not, for example, in a laboratory)
We need to test the product out in the market before launching it.
drop out
not do something that you were going to do, or stop doing something
The runner dropped out halfway through the marathon.
lash out (usually + at sth)
criticise someone or something in an angry way
Sofia lashed out at me yesterday for wasting her time.
yell out sth or yell sth out
suddenly shout something in a loud voice, especially to get someone’s attention
As I walked past the room, I heard someone yell out.
draw out sth or draw sth out
make something continue for longer than is usual or necessary
I wish Thomas wouldn’t always draw meetings out by talking so much.
sort out sth or sort sth out
solve a problem or restore order to something which has become disordered
A management consultant was hired to sort out the personnel problems in the company.
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
