get-out
Americannoun
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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
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
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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:
“I started doing a deep dive of his films. In the final number of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ there’s this moment that is ’70s as all get-out with the Afros and the fashion,” Brewer said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2024
She and her husband are taking an opportunity for further training in Newscastle in England, but said she "would be lying if I said we weren't actively looking our get-out plan."
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2024
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
We followed the Alliance River—running dark and fast this time of year, and cold as all get-out.
From "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt
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Tata Sons sought to get out of this classification by repaying their debt and arguing that they do not borrow directly from the public markets.
From BBC ● 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
I hope I get out of the game before the sharks eat my legs, but I also know the odds are 50-50.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 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
That’s why I can’t wait to get out of here.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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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.