out*/*/*/

[aʊt] grammar word I

summary:

Out can be: ■ an adverb: We went out into the garden. ■ used after the verb ‘to be': You were out when I called. ■ used in the preposition phrase out of: I got out of bed and went downstairs. ■ a preposition, although many British people consider that this use is not correct: I looked out the window.

1) outside not inside a building or vehicle

Is it cold out?[/ex]

The children are out in the garden.[/ex]

He leaned out of his car and called to me.[/ex]

2) not at home or work away from your home or place of work

Dr Hammond's out just now, visiting a patient.[/ex]

Try to get out more – make new friends.[/ex]

Why don't you take Dad out for a drink?[/ex]

3) from inside sth from inside a container, building, or place

He opened the drawer and took out a large brown envelope.[/ex]

She went out, slamming the door behind her.[/ex]

Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.[/ex]

4) none left with none of something left

We're out of bread.[/ex]

I'm running out of ideas – can you suggest anything?[/ex]

5) no longer in a situation used for saying that someone is no longer in a bad situation

We are facing a major crisis and there is no easy way out.[/ex]

Parents will be relieved that their children are out of danger.[/ex]

6) publicly available available for the public to buy, see, or know about

Their new album comes out next week.[/ex]

7) far away used for saying that someone or something is in another place that is far away

They live way out in the countryside.[/ex]

8) unconscious used for saying that someone is unconscious

Arthur had hit his head on a beam and knocked himself out.[/ex]

I must have been out for five minutes.[/ex]

9) no longer in a competition not allowed to continue taking part in a game or competition

If we don't win today, we'll be out of the championships.[/ex]

10) when the sun can be seen if the sun or moon is out, it is not behind clouds

11) not burning no longer burning or shining

It got so cold when the fire went out.[/ex]

The children were in bed and the lights were out.[/ex]

12) not wanted or not possible informal

if a particular idea, suggestion, or activity is out, it is not possible, or it cannot be accepted

13) not correct British

used for saying that a number is not correct

Their calculations were out by about two million pounds.[/ex]

14) when the sea is low if the TIDE is out, the sea is at a lower level on the land

•

be out to do sth; be out for sth — to be aiming to do something or get something[/ex]

These are dangerous men, and they are out for revenge.[/ex]

one out of ten/99 out of 100 etc — used for saying how large a part of a group or number is[/ex]

Only one out of ten graduates goes into the teaching profession.[/ex]

out of interest/respect/pity etc — because of a particular feeling or attitude[/ex]

I went there out of curiosity, really.[/ex]

out of it — informal not conscious of what is happening because you are drunk or have taken drugs[/ex]

II

adj

out [aʊt]

a gay person who is out has told other people that he or she is gay

III

verb [T]

out [aʊt]

to make it publicly known that someone is gay