get-out

[ get-out ]

/ ˈgɛtˌaʊt /

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noun

Commerce. the break-even point.

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.

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Idioms about get-out

as all get-out, Informal. in the extreme; to the utmost degree: Once his mind is made up, he can be stubborn as all get-out.

Origin of get-out

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase get out

Words nearby get-out

get on someone's nerves, get on the bandwagon, get on the stick, get onto, get on with it, get-out, get out from under, get out of, get out of one's face, get out of one's system, get out of someone's sight

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use get-out in a sentence

Really, is it any wonder that fluoride should freak people out?
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
For a while yoga and pilates classes were sought out at luxury gyms like Equinox.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
On Thursday, Garcetti ruled himself out of the race to succeed Boxer.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Police officials told the AP that they came out with guns blazing.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And he was gone, and out of sight on the swift galloping Benito, before Father Gaspara bethought himself.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Most of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Liszt looked at it, and to her fright and dismay cried out in a fit of impatience, "No, I won't hear it!"
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Squinty could look out, but the slats were as close together as those in a chicken coop, and the little pig could not get out.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

British Dictionary definitions for get-out

get out

verb (adverb)

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

to make or become known; publish or be published

(tr) to express with difficulty

(tr often foll by of) to extract (information or money) (from a person)to get a confession out of a criminal

(tr) to gain or receive something, esp something of significance or valueyou get out of life what you put into it

(foll by of) to avoid or cause to avoidshe always gets out of swimming

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

cricket to dismiss or be dismissed

noun get-out

an escape, as from a difficult situation

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with get-out

get out

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.

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

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

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.