out of · prep
out of (NO LONGER IN CONDITION)
B2 no longer in a particular condition or situation
Dictionary examples:
The patient is now out of danger. (18.7)
out of (BECAUSE OF)
B2 used to show the reason why someone does something
Dictionary examples:
I only went there out of curiosity. (27.0)
I took the job out of necessity because we had no money left. (36.9)
She volunteered out of a sense of duty. (43.1)
be out of sth
B2 to have no more of something left
Dictionary examples:
We're almost out of gas. (14.7)
be out of breath
B2 to be breathing quickly because you have been running, walking fast, etc.
Dictionary examples:
He ran into the room, red-faced and out of breath. (32.3)
out of control
B2 If something or someone is out of control, you cannot influence, limit or direct it.
Dictionary examples:
The weeds in my garden are out of control. (54.6)
The car went out of control, crashing into an oncoming truck. (60.7)
out of nowhere
B2 If someone or something appears out of nowhere, it appears suddenly or unexpectedly.
Dictionary examples:
The car came out of nowhere and we had to swerve to miss it. (60.6)
be out of practice
B2 to not do something well because you have not done it recently
Dictionary examples:
I didn't play very well today - I'm out of practice. (28.3)
out of stock
B2 not available in a store
Dictionary examples:
The book is out of stock at the moment. (25.4)
out of season
C1 If vegetables or fruit are out of season, they are not usually available at that time.
Dictionary examples:
Strawberries are out of season now. (23.3)
out of tune
C1 singing or playing the wrong notes
Dictionary examples:
The piano is out of tune. (33.8)
out of the blue
C1 If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected.
Dictionary examples:
An old fried of mine from college called me out of the blue yesterday. (34.4)
out of your depth
C2 not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation
Dictionary examples:
When they start talking about philosophy, I'm completely out of my depth. (43.8)
out of the ordinary
C2 unusual or different
Dictionary examples:
The investigation revealed nothing out of the ordinary. (46.3)
be out of this world
C2 to be of extremely good quality
Dictionary examples:
Their chocolate cake is just out of this world! (19.5)
(be) out of line
C2 If someone's actions or words are out of line, they are beyond what is considered acceptable in that situation.
Dictionary examples:
You can disagree with her, but calling her dishonest was way out of line. (43.3)
get out of hand
C2 to become difficult to control
Dictionary examples:
It was the end of week and the children were getting a little out of hand. (17.5)
out of place
C2 not in the correct position
Dictionary examples:
Why are my files all out of place? (12.9)
out of place
C2 not right or suitable for a particular situation
Dictionary examples:
Everyone else was wearing jeans and I felt completely out of place in my office clothes. (31.7)
out of proportion
C2 If something is out of proportion, it is much bigger or smaller than it should be, when compared to other things.
Dictionary examples:
The punishment is completely out of proportion to the crime. (49.7)
be out of the question
C2 If something is out of the question, it is not possible or not allowed.
Dictionary examples:
Providing more money is out of the question. (17.1)
out of season
C2 If you go somewhere out of season, you go during a period of the year when few people are there.
Dictionary examples:
I prefer to travel out of season. (17.7)
out of shape
C2 not healthy or physically strong
Dictionary examples:
Since I stopped riding my bike, I've gotten out of shape. (29.6)
out of (NO LONGER IN PLACE)
A2 no longer in a particular place or area
Dictionary examples:
The pizza flew out of the oven and landed on my head! (0.0)
The fish jumped out of the bowl and into my soup! (0.0)
The bird flew out of its cage and into my sandwich! (0.0)
He has been out of the country for a long time. (11.5)
out of (FROM AMONG)
B1 from among an amount or number
Dictionary examples:
Nine out of ten teachers wish they had superpowers. (0.0)
Two out of three dentists recommend brushing your teeth with chocolate! (0.0)
One out of two people can't read this sentence. (0.0)
No one got 20 out of 20 in the test. (15.9)
Nine out of ten people said they liked the product. (26.0)
out of (MADE FROM)
B1 used to show what something is made from
Dictionary examples:
The chef made a cake out of broccoli. It's a healthy disaster! (0.0)
He created a smartphone out of vegetables. It's a high-tech salad! (0.0)
The student made a robot out of old shoes. It's sole-ly amazing! (0.0)
The dress is made out of silk. (17.5)
The statue was carved out of a single block of stone. (50.3)
be out of touch
C2 to be unaware of things that have been happening or what other people think
Dictionary examples:
A few of the older teachers are completely out of touch with their students. (30.5)
Tell me what's been going on - I've been away for a month and out of touch. (34.5)
out of order
B1 If a machine or system is out of order, it is not working as it should.
Dictionary examples:
The homework-doing robot is out of order. Time to use our brains! (0.0)
The mind-reading machine is out of order. Now I can't cheat on exams! (0.0)
The automatic bed-maker is out of order. I'll have to make my bed myself! (0.0)
The elevator is out of order. (13.1)
out of date
B1 old and no longer useful, correct or fashionable
Dictionary examples:
My grandpa's dance moves are so out of date, even dinosaurs laugh! (0.0)
His flip phone is so out of date, it belongs in a museum! (0.0)
His slang is so out of date, even grandma thinks it's uncool! (0.0)
These unemployment figures are out of date. (21.3)
out of work
B1 not in a job
Dictionary examples:
I'm so out of work, I'm considering becoming a professional nap tester. (0.0)
I'm out of work, so I'm writing a book called 'How to Nap'. (0.0)
We're out of work, so we're starting a professional pillow-testing business. (0.0)
Both she and her husband are out of work. (9.8)
I've been out of work for the last six months. (11.1)
out of (NO LONGER INSIDE)
B1 used to show movement away from the inside of a place or container
Dictionary examples:
The fish leaped out of the bowl and into my coffee cup. (0.0)
My phone flew out of my hand when I saw a spider. (0.0)
The cat jumped out of the box, wearing my underwear as a hat. (0.0)
I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. (26.7)
A peach rolled out of the bag. (30.6)