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

But while the new house looks different, it doesn’t stick out: It has the same footprint as the original cabin and the exterior has a lot of wood.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

At some point before the 2 June primary, "I assume somebody will stick out," Casey said.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Those that have been left behind stick out like sore hitchhiker’s thumbs, which helps explain recent activist interest.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

I stick out, clad in my sun shirt and hiking shorts among all the people in bathing suits.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

A few lampposts stick out from the perimeter of the dock, blinking in and out of power.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

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