have an out


Have a means of escape or an excuse, as in I'm supposed to go to the meeting, but I have an out—Sam invited me first to come to his wedding. One can also give someone an out, as in She was hoping someone would give her an out; otherwise she'd be stuck visiting relatives all afternoon. [Slang; early 1900s]

Words Nearby have an out

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.