stick out

British  

verb

1. to project or cause to project

2. informal (tr) to endure (something disagreeable) (esp in the phrase stick it out )

3. informal to be extremely obvious

4. (intr) to insist on (a demand), refusing to yield until it is met

   the unions stuck out for a ten per cent wage rise

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stick out Idioms  

1. Also, stick out a mile or like a sore thumb . Be very prominent or conspicuous, as in Dad's funny hat made him stick out in the crowd , or That purple house sticks out a mile , or John's lie sticks out like a sore thumb . The first term dates from the mid-1500s, the variants from the first half of the 1900s. The variant using thumb alludes to the propensity for holding an injured thumb stiffly, making it stand out (and thereby risking further injury).

2. Continue doing something, endure something, as in I know you don't like it but you have to stick out the job for another month . [Late 1600s] A variant is stick it out , as in His new play's boring, but since he's my cousin we'd better stick it out . [Late 1800s] Also see stick it , def. 1.

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Example Sentences

She would open her mouth and stick out her tongue, and come back to earth drenched and red-cheeked and victorious.

From Literature

A shovel handle sticks out of the baby carriage.

From Literature

But at the last second, when she looks up at me, I stick out my tongue and cross my eyes instead.

From Literature

“But his ears stick out like a mouse,” Mari said.

From Literature

Owen looked and saw two silvery white tubes with bright red tufts on the end sticking out of Nanuq’s side.

From Literature

Related Words

• bulge
• bulge out
• jut out
• poke out
• protrude
• stand out