carry-out
Americannoun
verb
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to perform or cause to be implemented
I wish he could afford to carry out his plan
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to bring to completion; accomplish
noun
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alcohol bought at a pub or off-licence for consumption elsewhere
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hot cooked food bought at a shop or restaurant for consumption elsewhere
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a shop or restaurant that sells such food
we'll get something from the Chinese carry-out
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( as modifier )
a carry-out shop
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Accomplish, bring to a conclusion, as in They carried out the mission successfully . Shakespeare had this term in King Lear (5:1): “And hardly shall I carry out my side, Her husband being alive.” [Late 1500s]
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Put in practice or effect, as in We will carry out the new policy , or Please carry out my instructions . [Mid-1800s]
Usage
What does carry-out mean? Carry-out (or carryout) refers to food or drinks picked up from a restaurant or other place to be consumed elsewhere, typically at home. It can also refer to the place where you get it, though this is less common unless it’s used as an adjective, as in carry-out place or carry-out service.In the U.S., this is also called takeout. In the U.K., it’s called takeaway. Other terms that are often used to describe such services are pick-up and to-go.The term carry-out is based on the phrasal verb carry out, literally meaning to carry something out of a place, like you’d carry the pizza out of the pizzeria. (As a verb, carry out also has other meanings.)Example: I don’t feel like cooking tonight—let’s just get carry-out from the taco place on the way home.
Etymology
Origin of carry-out
1965–70, adj. use of verb phrase carry 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.
“CCPS staff was reportedly told by restaurant staff that no reservations were necessary. Upon arrival, the students and staff were declined service and asked to no longer include the restaurant on its CBI list. The group was able to place a carry-out order.”
From Salon
The helicopter was able to recover his body on Thursday morning, saving what would have been a difficult carry-out for 15 conservation officers and more than 30 volunteers who were on their way to him.
From Seattle Times
In a bid to attract inflation-weary consumers, the pizza chain relaunched $3 Carryout Tips promo, where customers who place a carry-out order of $5 or more earn a $3 promo that can be used for another carry-out order.
From Reuters
UC Berkeley announced in January that it will provide expanded dining options for students fasting during Ramadan, including carry-out meals.
From Los Angeles Times
A memo sent out by the House’s chief administrative officer Thursday evening said that committees “shall only carry-out core Constitutional responsibilities.”
From Seattle Times
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.
