get-out

[get-out]

noun

1. Commerce.,  the break-even point.

2. Chiefly British.,  a method or maneuver used to escape a difficult or embarrassing situation; cop-out.

   The scoundrel has used that get-out once too often.

get out

verb

1. to leave or escape or cause to leave or escape: used in the imperative when dismissing a person

2. to make or become known; publish or be published

3. (tr) to express with difficulty

4. to extract (information or money) (from a person)

   to get a confession out of a criminal

5. (tr) to gain or receive something, esp something of significance or value

   you get out of life what you put into it

6. (foll by of) to avoid or cause to avoid

   she always gets out of swimming

7. (tr) to solve (a puzzle or problem) successfully

8. cricket to dismiss or be dismissed

noun

1. an escape, as from a difficult situation

2. theatre the process of moving out of a theatre the scenery, props, and costumes after a production

Word History and Origins

Origin of get out¹

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase get out

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. as all get-out, in the extreme; to the utmost degree.

   Once his mind is made up, he can be stubborn as all get-out.

Leave, escape, as in With good conduct he'll get out of prison in a few months , or In case of a fire, we just want to get out alive . [c. 1300] This phrase is also used as an imperative, ordering someone to depart. For example, Get out! You've no business being in here . [c. 1700] Also see get out of , def. 1.

Become known, as in Somehow the secret got out . [Late 1800s] Also see out in the open .

get something out . Publish something, as in Once we get out the newsletter, we can concentrate on other projects . [Late 1700s]

Produce a sound, as in The singer had a sore throat and could hardly get out a note . [First half of 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with get out .

Example Sentences

Surveillance camera footage captured Jimenez getting out of the truck with a handgun and running after Vargas, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

“It basically says, if you entered illegally, only ICE can decide if you get out of detention.”

From Los Angeles Times

Just as the Chargers wanted to put their disappointing playoff performance behind them, the Chiefs wanted to get out from under the dark cloud of a blowout Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia.

From Los Angeles Times

In the background, a woman is telling an agent to wait as he yells at her to get out of the car.

From Los Angeles Times

She admitted shouting an obscenity at Ms Ellis while telling her to "get out of my face".

From BBC

Related Words

• avoid 
• break out 
• go 
• leave 
• take off