get-out
noun
the break-even point.
get-out
American
[get-aut]
/ 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
“Hailey, but Nick was still fine as all get-out, and this is middle school stuff—” “Uh-uh! Last year you begged me to let you color your hair purple. Why, Starr?”
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
Only enough volunteers to get out only so many voters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
The investors who leave first get out at yesterday’s price.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
"And I wanted to create this new, light version of Carrie that was excited to get out of her house and just curious about the world and people."
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
And the union representative for school principals, Nicolas Bonnet, told broadcaster franceinfo that "to get out of this crisis, we will need something more than simple consultation periods".
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
He would get out the first aid kit and put some disinfectant on Abby’s scrapes, and on his own scratched arms and legs.
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
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.
