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  • get-out
    get-out
    noun
    the break-even point.
  • get out
    get out
    verb
    to leave or escape or cause to leave or escape: used in the imperative when dismissing a person
Synonyms

get-out

American  
[get-out] / ˈgɛtˌaʊt /

noun

  1. Commerce. the break-even point.

  2. 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

  1. as all get-out, in the extreme; to the utmost degree.

    Once his mind is made up, he can be stubborn as all get-out.

get out British  

verb

  1. to leave or escape or cause to leave or escape: used in the imperative when dismissing a person

  2. to make or become known; publish or be published

  3. (tr) to express with difficulty

  4. to extract (information or money) (from a person)

    to get a confession out of a criminal

  5. (tr) to gain or receive something, esp something of significance or value

    you get out of life what you put into it

  6. (foll by of) to avoid or cause to avoid

    she always gets out of swimming

  7. (tr) to solve (a puzzle or problem) successfully

  8. cricket to dismiss or be dismissed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an escape, as from a difficult situation

  2. theatre the process of moving out of a theatre the scenery, props, and costumes after a production

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
get out More Idioms  
  1. 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.

  2. Become known, as in Somehow the secret got out . [Late 1800s] Also see out in the open .

  3. get something out . Publish something, as in Once we get out the newsletter, we can concentrate on other projects . [Late 1700s]

  4. 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:

He is under contract to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but has performance-related get-out clauses if he wants to leave.

From BBC Apr. 8, 2025

It’s a get-on-board or get-out type of deal.”

From Washington Times Aug. 25, 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

He was pleased as all get-out, you could tell.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

"More than for a prize, I do it to have fun and get out of the house."

From Barron's Aug. 22, 2026

I’m working for a New York City-based company right now and I really need to get out.

From MarketWatch Aug. 21, 2026

Though he will be annoyed to get out misjudging the length of spinner Usman Ali as Brook did, Jordan Cox batted with similar restraint and class for his 73.

From BBC Aug. 20, 2026

But Mitchell says so much more by saying nothing overt about those things, and instead, depicting a family who wants nothing more than to get out of the bind they’ve found themselves in.

From Salon Aug. 20, 2026

‘I’ll go in ahead of you,’ I say as we get out of the car.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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