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• out-of-the-way
  out-of-the-way

  adjective

  remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.
• out of the way
  out of the way

  Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

out-of-the-way

American  

[out-uhv-thuh-wey] / ˈaʊt əv ðəˌweɪ /

adjective

1. remote from much-traveled, frequented, or populous regions; secluded.

   an out-of-the-way inn up in the hills.

2. seldom encountered; unusual.

   out-of-the-way information.

3. giving offense; improper.

   an out-of-the-way remark.

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out-of-the-way British  

adjective

1. distant from more populous areas

2. uncommon or unusual

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out of the way Idioms  

1. Not obstructing, hindering, or interfering, as in This chair is out of the way now, so you won't trip . This phrase also appears in get out of the (or one's) way , as in Would you please get your coat out of the way? or Get your car out of my way . [Mid-1500s]

2. Taken care of, disposed of, as in I'm glad we got these details out of the way .

3. In a remote location, as in This restaurant is a little out of the way . [Mid-1300s]

4. Unusual, remarkable, as in It was out of the way for him to praise his staff . [Second half of 1500s]

5. Amiss, in error, improper, as in The security guard checked all the locks and saw nothing out of the way . [Early 1200s] Also see go out of one's way .

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Etymology

Origin of out-of-the-way

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-of-the-way out of the way

Do we really need reminding, when far from home, not to stop our vehicles in out-of-the-way areas on nights when nobody’s around and even the moon has chosen to hide?

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

A piece of Fern’s called out societal expectations that a woman “unobtrusively gather up her thimble and, retiring into some out-of-the-way place, gradually scoop out her coffin with it.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

Setting aside some out-of-the-way spaces for ground-nesting bees allows everyone to coexist more happily.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

He did say the campaign’s strategy of directing surrogates like Mr. Newsom and Mr. Landrieu to out-of-the-way rural towns was an effort to increase turnout in counties that often underperform in the state’s elections.

From New York Times ● Feb. 3, 2024

He sells and repairs small farm equipment and uses the helicopter to get to out-of-the-way places.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass

A couple walking along the beach sprinted out of the way as the small plane dropped down, Griffin said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“It’s important to get out of the way of the business. Stop being the owner. Get out of their hair and find something else to do,” said Ransom, who volunteers with the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

You’re right that I’m describing the labor issue that falls out of the way that AI is being sold, but I think more foundationally is the material, financial basis for the AI bubble.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

I was setting my alarm for 4:30 in the morning to work out and get everything out of the way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

With humans out of the way, Mama Panda gave Tao Tao the paws-on training he’d need for survival.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh