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• out-of-the-way
  out-of-the-way

  adjective

  remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.
• out of the way
  out of the way

  Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

out-of-the-way

American  

[aut-uhv-thuh-way] / ˈaʊt əv ðəˌweɪ /

adjective

1. remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.

   an out-of-the-way inn up in the hills.

2. seldom encountered; unusual.

   out-of-the-way information.

3. giving offense; improper.

   an out-of-the-way remark.

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out-of-the-way British  

adjective

1. distant from more populous areas

2. uncommon or unusual

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out of the way Idioms  

1. Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

2. Taken care of, disposed of, as in I'm glad we got these details out of the way .

3. In a remote location, as in This restaurant is a little out of the way . [Mid-1300s]

4. Unusual, remarkable, as in It was out of the way for him to praise his staff . [Second half of 1500s]

5. Amiss, in error, improper, as in The security guard checked all the locks and saw nothing out of the way . [Early 1200s] Also see go out of one's way .

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Etymology

Origin of out-of-the-way

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-the-way out of the way

Even so, it had no problem doing a U-turn by an out-of-the-way industrial park to get us heading north again.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Most of Sheridan’s hit streak is built around the strivings of rough men willing to do whatever it takes to rule out-of-the-way corners of the country.

From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2025

I have always enjoyed Dwyre’s take on the out-of-the-way, and occasional absurd, stories that inhabit the sports world.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2024

Setting aside some out-of-the-way spaces for ground-nesting bees allows everyone to coexist more happily.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

He stayed there a week, walking the streets where their footsteps had clicked together through the November night and revisiting the out-of-the-way places to which they had driven in her white car.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Let’s get the awkward stuff out of the way: the inheritance belongs to him.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

Let’s get the rose-colored story line out of the way, right away.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026

After the pleasantries and the pretending are out of the way, we get down to details.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Successful Emmy hosts also understand that the mission is to get out of the way, not make the night about themselves.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026

Turkey Vulture lost his grip on Klawde, who jumped out of the way.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

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