bail out

British  

verb

1. (intr) to make an emergency parachute jump from an aircraft

2. informal (tr) to help (a person, organization, etc) out of a predicament

   the government bailed the company out

3. informal (intr) to escape from a predicament

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bail out Idioms  

1. Empty water out of a boat, usually by dipping with a bucket or other container. For example, We had to keep bailing out water from this leaky canoe . [Early 1600s]

2. Rescue someone in an emergency, especially a financial crisis of some kind, as in They were counting on an inheritance to bail them out . [ Colloquial ; 1900s]

3. Jump out of an airplane, using a parachute. For example, When the second engine sputtered, the pilot decided to bail out . [c. 1930]

4. Give up on something, abandon a responsibility, as in The company was not doing well, so John decided to bail out while he could still find another job . [Second half of 1900s]

5. See make bail .

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Example Sentences

"That's what goalkeepers are there for, to bail out the defence when they get exploited," she told ITV.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Beijing is Islamabad's closest regional ally, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often struggling neighbour.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

The head of tiny but historic Occidental Studios is looking to bail out — for the right price.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

It sent a resounding statement to the other star players who have joined Saudi-backed LIV: If they also want to bail out, there was now a clear path for PGA Tour comebacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

By the time he reached the turn, he had slowed the horse enough to bail out.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• relieve
• rescue