get-out
noun
the break-even point.
get-out
American
[get-out]
/ ˈgɛtˌaʊt /
noun
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Commerce. the break-even point.
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Chiefly British. a method or maneuver used to escape a difficult or embarrassing situation; cop-out.
The scoundrel has used that get-out once too often.
idioms
get out
British
verb
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to leave or escape or cause to leave or escape: used in the imperative when dismissing a person
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to make or become known; publish or be published
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(tr) to express with difficulty
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to extract (information or money) (from a person)
to get a confession out of a criminal
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(tr) to gain or receive something, esp something of significance or value
you get out of life what you put into it
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(foll by of) to avoid or cause to avoid
she always gets out of swimming
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(tr) to solve (a puzzle or problem) successfully
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cricket to dismiss or be dismissed
noun
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an escape, as from a difficult situation
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theatre the process of moving out of a theatre the scenery, props, and costumes after a production
get out
More Idioms
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Leave, escape, as in With good conduct he'll get out of prison in a few months , or In case of a fire, we just want to get out alive . [c. 1300] This phrase is also used as an imperative, ordering someone to depart. For example, Get out! You've no business being in here . [c. 1700] Also see get out of , def. 1.
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Become known, as in Somehow the secret got out . [Late 1800s] Also see out in the open .
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get something out . Publish something, as in Once we get out the newsletter, we can concentrate on other projects . [Late 1700s]
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Produce a sound, as in The singer had a sore throat and could hardly get out a note . [First half of 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with get out .
Etymology
Origin of get-out
First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase get out
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It’s a get-on-board or get-out type of deal.”
From Washington Times ● Aug. 25, 2023
Famously, the latter contract had no get-out clause, so when United came back and Manchester City followed two summers ago, Tottenham said no.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2023
That is when the get-out gong begins to bang in earnest, a whole catalog from the dark side of Turner Classic Movies contained in its clammy, familiar feminine dread: “Gaslight,” “Rebecca,” “Rosemary’s Baby.”
From New York Times ● May 25, 2023
They may give the manufacturer a get-out in the event of a failure to obtain parts.
From Reuters ● Jan. 18, 2023
The West is lawless as all get-out from what the papers say.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
“For the workers, it’s an opportunity to get out of North Korea.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
“We just think he was trying to get out of the heat,” Rowley said of the man, who was arrested about an hour later, according to video.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 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
The pair managed to get out of the plane and to shallow water where a Wausau Fire Department airboat rescued them about 15 minutes later, at 21:05 local time, according to the sheriff's office.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
Luckily, this morning Mila was helping Auntie with some sewing, and they were both so engrossed I was able to get out of the house without too many questions.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
