have an out

Idioms

Have a means of escape or an excuse, as in I'm supposed to go to the meeting, but I have an out—Sam invited me first to come to his wedding. One can also give someone an out, as in She was hoping someone would give her an out; otherwise she'd be stuck visiting relatives all afternoon. [Slang; early 1900s]

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.

In Oregon, Democrat Tina Kotek is in a high-profile gubernatorial race; both she and Healey offer the prospect that the U.S. would have an out lesbian as a governor for the first time.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2022

“It’s unseemly for somebody who doesn’t admit to then violate a gag order. They have an out — refuse to settle.”

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2022

I knew I was in trouble but I felt serene, peaceful and while I did not have an out of body experience at no time was I fearful or anxious.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2020

But if the destination part was decided later, I think you have an out.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2015

Who knows what’s what now, and I hate that I already have an out to these problems.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023