Unit 14

 

The Versatile "Out": Understanding Phrasal Verbs

Good morning, everyone. Today, we're going to talk about a very common and very useful word in English: "out." On its own, it's a simple preposition, but when combined with a verb, it can create a whole new meaning. We call these "phrasal verbs," and "out" is one of the most common particles you'll find in them.

We can break down the meaning of phrasal verbs with "out" into a few key categories.

1. "Out" meaning "not in"

This is the most direct and literal meaning of "out." It simply means something is not inside or is being moved from an interior space to an exterior one.

• Leave out: To not include someone or something.

  • For example: "For homework, do exercise 8, but leave out number 10." You're instructed not to include number 10 in your work.

• Cut out: To remove something by cutting it, usually from a larger piece of material like paper or cloth.

  • For example: "She cut out some interesting articles from the newspaper for us." She removed them from the newspaper by cutting.

• Show out / See out: To accompany a visitor to the door when they are leaving. This is a polite gesture.

  • For example: "Let me show you out—it's quite hard to find the exit from here." The speaker will guide the visitor from the room to the exit.

• Let out: To allow a person or an animal to leave, usually by opening a door.

  • For example: "The door will be locked, but the receptionist will let you out." The receptionist will open the locked door for you to leave.

• Lock out: To prevent someone from entering a building by locking the door.

  • For example: "I forgot my keys and was locked out of my own house!" The door was locked, and the speaker couldn't get in.

• Lock yourself out: This is a special, reflexive use of the verb, where you accidentally prevent yourself from entering a building, usually by leaving your keys inside and then closing the door.

  • For example: "I've locked myself out so often that I've hidden a spare key in the garden now."

2. "Out" meaning "to the end" or "completely"

In this category, "out" gives us the idea of completing a task or doing something thoroughly, often until there's nothing left.

• Sort out: To arrange things that are untidy. The "out" suggests completing the sorting process.

  • For example: "I sorted out my room on Sunday." This implies the speaker finished organizing their room.

• Clear out: To make a space tidy by removing unwanted things.

  • For example: "I cleared out all my wardrobes and threw away all my worn out shoes."

• Worn out: This is a great example of an adjective formed from a phrasal verb. It means something is used so much that it's damaged or no longer useful. The "out" here suggests the process of wearing is complete.

• Run out of something: To have none of something left because it has all been used.

  • For example: "Unfortunately, I'd run out of furniture polish, so I couldn't do any polishing." This means the supply of polish was completely finished.

3. Other uses of "out"

Finally, let's look at some other common phrasal verbs with "out" that have unique meanings.

• Spread out: To arrange things on a flat surface so that they cover a wide area.

  • For example: "He spread out the photos on the table so everyone could see them."

• Come out: This has a few meanings, but one is to become available for people to buy or see, especially for a new product like a book or a music album.

  • For example: "The band has a new album coming out next month."

• Try out: To test something to see if it works or if you like it before you make a decision, like a purchase.

  • For example: "Madam, would you like to try out the bike before deciding whether to buy it?"

• Help out: To help someone, often by doing a specific task or by giving money.

  • For example: "My husband’s business is so busy at the moment that I’m helping out in the office."

• Lose out: To not have an advantage that others have. The "out" here signifies being left behind or on the outside of a good situation.

  • For example: "I always feel I lost out because I never learned a musical instrument as a child."

As you can see, "out" is a very flexible word. When you encounter a new phrasal verb, it's helpful to remember these core meanings. Is it about exclusion? Is it about completion? Or is it one of these other common uses? The context will almost always give you the clues you need.

Thank you.