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Glite Dictionary
to map out

to map out

34 3.7
Plan something carefully in detail before doing it
  • phrasal verb
  • /mæp aʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : planificar
  • So far, however, the United States and Japan have failed to map out a way to navigate Asia's changing landscape.
  • map out a plan
  • map out a path
  • map out a strategy

It's, it's like everything's mapped out and in, in.

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Examples

  • What future have you mapped out for yourself?

    The Human Comedy (1943)

  • Before starting the project, we will map out each step to ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • Number one is you map out your options.

    The Knowledge Project Podcast

  • Yeah, absolutely, I have one for you so you can map out the entire route.

    Traceroute (2016)

  • So I'm going to map out every single thing.

  • So I'm trying to map out what exactly went wrong.

  • All right, So let's start by kind of mapping out when the major shows are.

  • Maybe we should, you know, generally map out a plan to start monetizing it.

  • So what I'm going to do is let's map out our first couple coordinate points.

  • So she's spending her days mapping out her media strategy.

    Megyn Kelly

Synonyms

to plan
vsto map out
∞ 1.0

To decide and arrange in advance how to do something

is more detailed and precise preparation before acting rather than general arranging
to lay out
vsto map out
100 3.1

To arrange items so they are ready and easy to see

is about careful detailed planning beforehand rather than showing or positioning items
to think out
vsto map out
  • Informal
45 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

is more about careful arranging and detailed preparation before doing
to map
vsto map out
36 3.7

To plan the steps of something carefully

is about careful detailed planning overall rather than step sequencing
to set out
vsto map out
32 3.2

To arrange objects or information in a clear organized way

is used for organizing content rather than detailed planning before doing
to plot
vsto map out
24 3.6

To map land to show its boundaries for building

is general careful planning for many kinds of projects rather than land specific designs
to prearrange
vsto map out
8 4.1

To plan something ahead of time

is careful detailed planning rather than simply preparing things early
to blueprint
vsto map out
1 4.4

To make a detailed plan for something

is general careful planning rather than a technical design document
to game out
vsto map out
  • Informal
1 7.2

Think about different possible situations to plan what to do

is careful detailed preparation without necessarily running scenario simulations
to predesign
vsto map out
  • Specialized
1 6.3

To make an early plan or drawing before the main work begins

is fully detailed planning before action rather than only a preliminary sketch

Antonyms

to wing it
  • Informal
28 6.1

Do something without planning or preparation and improvise

How Detailed

to map out
  • Informal
34 3.7
to detail
105 3.1

Surface Forms

map out infinitive
mapped out past
mapped out past participle
mapping out present participle
maps out third person singular

Morphology

map + out

The meaning 'to plan or arrange carefully' is directly derivable from 'map' (to outline or chart) combined with the particle 'out' which here gives a sense of laying something out fully or externally. This verb+particle composition follows standard English phrasal-verb patterns and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings.

Etymology

Map out The phrasal verb map out comes from the image of drawing a map to show where things go. To map something out is like putting the plan on paper before you start, so the phrase means 'to plan something carefully'.