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to out

to out

2 7.7
Reveal a secret or someone's identity
  • verb
  • /aʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : revelar
  • The authorial narrator suddenly outs himself as a character in the fictional world who actually claims to have met Becky Sharp at the court of Pumpernickel (ch. 62).

Examples

  • In short, he outs himself as a male chauvinist earth-pig—an anti-feminist.

    Blog text (9)
  • We have a government that outs the fool Nakoula and puts him at risk for his life.

    Blog text (12)
  • Worthy of the reporter who outs her bully on live TV and sent her a nasty email about her weight.

    Blog text (4)
  • It centered on Flaco, a soccer player who decides to reveal his homosexuality before the media outs him.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Ah, our resident troll and puppet master outs himself again by trying to divert attention by accusing people of fallacies.

    Blog text (3)
  • No wonder that every liberal Wikileaks opponent or advocate for the importance of discretion and secrecy eventually outs themselves as a believer that the US is a force for good in the world.

    Blog text (26)
  • Suddenly, this joy, which otherwise would just have been that—joy—is something that has to justify its presence, something that, if you can't explain it in a convincing way, outs you as a philistine.

    Blog text (23)
  • The article reveals how the celebrity outs their struggles with mental health.

  • In her latest book, the author outs the secrets of her unique upbringing.

  • During the live interview, the host outs the surprise guest's identity to the audience.

Synonyms

to reveal
vsto out
2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

stresses revealing private or personal identity details publicly
to expose
vsto out
342 4.1

Reveal hidden facts or bad actions to people

covers making private information public without implying harm
to uncover
vsto out
243 3.5

Reveal secret facts to the public

is often used when revealing private identity or personal facts
to spill
vsto out
164 4.5

To reveal secret information, often by mistake

also applies to deliberate public disclosure of private matters
to give away
vsto out
114 3.4

Tell a secret on purpose or by accident

stresses making private facts public, especially identity details
to unveil
vsto out
109 4.1

To make something known for the first time

is more about exposing private personal facts or identity
to rat out
vsto out
  • Informal
76 8.6

To tell the police or another authority about someone's bad action, betraying their trust

is broader, meaning any public disclosure of private facts
to divulge
vsto out
45 6.2

To tell secret or private information to people

is centered on revealing private identity details publicly
to let on
vsto out
  • Informal
43 6.0

To tell a secret or show feelings you were trying to hide

covers revealing private facts publicly without focusing on intent
to let out
vsto out
32 3.7

Tell secret or private information to other people

is used especially for exposing private identity details publicly
to unmask
vsto out
23 4.2

Show what someone or something really is

is about making private facts public, often identity related
to spill the beans
vsto out
  • Informal
18 6.0

Tell a secret by accident before others know

also covers deliberate revelation of private information publicly
to bring out
vsto out
8 3.7

Make secret information known to the public

is used especially when revealing private identity or secrets
to blow the lid off
vsto out
  • Literature
8 6.8

Reveal secret information that shocks people

is any revealing of private information, not necessarily dramatic
to disclose
vsto out
7 4.0

Make something visible by removing a cover

focuses on disclosing private personal information or identity
to let slip
vsto out
5 5.6

Accidentally tell someone something you want to keep secret

can be used for intended disclosure of private facts too
to let the cat out of the bag
vsto out
  • Informal
5 5.1

To tell a secret that should be kept

also covers intentional public disclosure of private information
to lift the veil
vsto out
4 7.1

To reveal information that was previously hidden

emphasizes sudden public disclosure of private identity or facts
to unwrap
vsto out
2 4.4

To tell people about something secret

is focused on public disclosure of private identity or secrets
to lay bare
vsto out
2 5.5

To show something hidden so people can see it

targets making private identity details public rather than partial reveal
1 5.5

To tell a secret by accident and spoil a surprise

includes deliberate public disclosure as well as accidental slips
to blab out
vsto out
  • Informal
1 7.9

To tell a secret carelessly or without meaning to

may involve deliberate or careful public disclosure of secrets
1 7.2

Show who you really are instead of pretending

focuses specifically on making private identity facts public
to outen
vsto out
  • Offensive
9.9

To tell other people someone's private information, often their sexual orientation, without their permission

refers more generally to making private information public

Antonyms

1.0

To keep something so others cannot see or understand it

282 3.7

To hide something so others cannot see or find it

Idioms

356 2.6

Moved aside so it does not block people

277 1.0

To speak so other people can hear

out of hand
  • Informal
176 4.8

A situation that is not under control and hard to manage

170 4.2

Happening suddenly without any warning

163 3.2

To go quickly into a place and out again many times

160 4.5

Behaving in a way that is not acceptable to others

134 3.7

Finished so it no longer blocks progress

124 1.8

Without a job and trying to find one

119 3.6

Feeling sad because others do not include you

out of the blue
  • Informal
95 3.4

Something happens suddenly and without warning

92 4.9

Not aware of recent events or people's feelings

Someone quotes words without the surrounding information, making the meaning seem wrong

65 2.8

You cannot see it from here

64 2.3

At the front of a building or outside the main entrance

63 3.5

Feeling uncomfortable because you do not belong in a place or situation

Not possible or allowed to do

Too strong or big compared with what the situation needs

out on a limb
  • Informal
54 7.0

In a risky position without support from others

Not taking part in an activity or competition

Not usual and different from what people expect

out of luck
  • Informal
43 4.1

Not successful when you try to get something you want

out of it
  • Informal
42 8.2

Not aware and slow to react because of tiredness or medicine

wiped out
  • Informal
39 7.1

A person who has lost all their money and savings

38 4.0

Too far or too expensive for most people to get

out of the way
  • Offensive
38 8.2

Killed to stop someone who is a threat or obstacle

37 6.1

To risk doing or saying something to support an idea

day in, day out
  • Informal
37 3.6

Happens every day for a long time in the same boring way

A single choice to escape a place or situation

inside and out
  • Informal
33 3.5

Completely and in every detail

33 3.4

Every day for a long time without any change

31 8.2

You say this when you feel very annoyed or impatient

out of my league
  • Informal
30 7.6

Too good for someone to match, often in social or romantic situations

Not involved in or told about a situation

out of whack
  • Informal
30 7.5

Not working properly or behaving in the usual way

29 4.6

Not awake after a strong hit to the head

fresh out of
  • Informal
29 4.2

Not having any left of something or having just finished something like school

out of court
  • Specialized
29 3.7

Without going to trial in a court

28 2.1

Not working so you cannot use it, like a machine or toilet

out cold
  • Informal
27 6.9

Unconscious or sleeping very deeply

To tell people you are gay, lesbian, or bisexual

Suddenly with no clear reason, like magic

Happens immediately at the start with strong energy or quick success

23 5.3

A child born to parents who are not married

Not how a person usually behaves

To take a risk by saying or doing something that may get you in trouble

22 4.1

Dressed neatly and looking smart for a special event

21 3.7

Not allowed because it is outside the allowed area or against the rules

Carefully planned to work well

flat out
  • Informal
21 7.0

To say something plainly without hiding feelings

21 7.5

An idea or hope that is suddenly ignored and can no longer happen

21 4.1

Very good and impressive

20 7.2

To appear suddenly after being hidden or not active

Phrasal Verbs

2.1

To learn something you did not know, often by searching or asking

1.0

Leave a place or situation

1.0

Take something out of a container like a box or cupboard

to figure out
  • Informal
2.2

To think about something and find an answer or understand it

3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

3.4

To be discovered or to happen in a way you do not expect

1.0

Leave a place to do a task, for example to help people

2.5

To look at or test something to learn more about it

1.8

To tell someone about something important or show it to them

950 2.8

To find a solution or plan by thinking carefully

948 1.9

To remove something from a place or container

to hang out
  • Informal
946 2.4

To spend time relaxing or talking with friends

937 1.9

Use all of something so none is left

911 3.0

To happen in a certain way, often with a good result

893 1.0

Leave your home to do something social, for example eat with friends

830 2.9

To become known to people after being hidden

740 2.4

Date someone regularly

646 1.9

Have no more of something because you used it all

to watch out
  • Informal
582 3.0

To be careful to avoid danger or trouble

563 3.0

To become available to the public, for example when a book or album is released

526 2.3

To appear or become visible, for example when the sun shines through clouds

523 2.7

To take something out of a place, often with effort

512 3.0

Force someone to leave a place or group

to help out
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

to get out
  • Informal
462 3.8

Avoid doing a task or taking blame you should accept

434 3.8

Say something with difficulty because you feel nervous or upset

to freak out
  • Informal
430 6.8

To become very upset or afraid suddenly and lose control

412 3.5

Become known to many people, even when it was secret

398 1.1

To discover and show that someone has done something wrong

376 1.8

Cause something to go to other people or places

363 2.3

To invite someone to go on a date because you like them

348 1.8

To do a task or follow instructions

344 1.1

Allow someone or something to leave a place

338 2.7

To contact someone to offer help or support

312 2.3

To not include someone or something

291 3.0

Watch carefully to notice danger or help someone

286 1.4

To begin a job, project, or career

261 1.6

To write all the needed information on a form

255 3.6

Publish something like a book or magazine for people to buy

255 1.0

Stop burning or shining, like a candle

246 3.5

Decide that an idea, cause or option should not be considered

244 3.2

To be easy to notice because you are different or better

237 2.0

Choose one person or thing from a group

236 3.0

To force someone to leave a place, job, or group

234 2.3

Leave a room or building briefly

229 2.8

To test something to see how it works

222 2.7

To find and fix a problem or confusion

220 3.4

To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult

217 6.5

To tell people you are gay, lesbian, or transgender

214 3.0

To leave a course, competition or group before finishing

213 3.6

To continue happening until it ends

210 4.3

To make someone unconscious by a hit, illness, or being very tired

207 3.2

To explain something clearly and in detail

206 3.4

To stop being involved in an activity or agreement

202 1.8

To put something in the trash because you do not want it

192 2.1

Going into and out of a place or activity many times

189 4.2

Destroy something so nothing is left

188 1.4

To leave your home to spend time with others, for example at a party or restaurant

188 3.7

To faint or lose consciousness suddenly

182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

176 3.6

Lose the chance to enjoy something good

173 2.3

To invite someone to go out with you for a date

172 1.3

To stop people or things from entering a place

To solve a problem or make a misunderstanding clear

167 2.5

To leave a place to start a trip

165 1.8

To give something to people in a group

165 3.2

To find an answer to a problem by thinking or talking

to walk out of
  • Informal
164 3.1

To leave a meeting or event suddenly to show you disagree

164 1.9

To leave a home or building and take your things with you

163 4.2

To stop considering a case, request, or proposal in court

156 3.0

Help someone and keep them safe

155 2.0

To exercise to improve your health

153 1.6

Watch for danger or trouble

Compounds

2.0

An exit like a door that you use to leave a place

178 3.2

Happening in another town or city, not local

125 4.6

Children or young people who are not attending school

out back
  • Informal
112 2.3

The area outside at the back of a building or house

96 2.2

An act of drawing attention to something by showing or saying it

91 2.6

An evening spent with friends outside the home, for example at a bar or restaurant

68 4.1

Very determined and using all available effort

62 3.0

The act of doing a task or plan that someone asked to be done

58 2.1

There are no tickets or items left to buy

47 5.3

The detailed steps you do to solve a problem

46 2.3

A short break from an activity to rest or talk about what to do next

38 3.2

A short break in a game when play stops so players rest or talk about their plan

shout-out
  • Texting
37 6.3

A public word of thanks and praise often said during an event or online

34 4.4

No longer current or in use

34 5.9

Bad behavior that shows strong feelings or stress

falling out
  • Informal
30 4.4

A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship

27 4.5

A set time in places like dorms when people must turn off lights to go to bed

25 3.4

A shape removed from paper or cloth with scissors

23 2.9

Feeling very tired and having no energy

day out
  • UK
21 1.8

A trip for fun that lasts one day

20 6.1

Withdrawing the penis from a partner's vagina before he releases sperm to try to avoid pregnancy

20 4.9

Costs you pay yourself that you do not get back from others

18 3.5

Outside the allowed area or not allowed by the rules

14 4.0

The act of forcing someone to leave a place or group

cutting out
  • Specialized
13 6.9

An operation to remove part of the body or tissue

11 5.6

A chance to avoid punishment or trouble

Far from towns and not easy to reach

A feeling that you are outside your body and can see it from above

Already finished and no longer needing attention

odd man out
  • Informal
8 6.1

A person who is clearly different from others and does not fit in

way-out
  • Archaic
8 8.1

Very unusual and far from normal in ideas or style

7 6.3

A complete and clear example of something, often a bad one

build-out
  • Specialized
5 4.5

Work to make a space ready for use, like an office or shop

A celebration when someone tells friends and family about their sexual orientation or gender identity

4 6.8

A sudden loss of electricity that makes a place dark

An agreement that ends a legal dispute before it goes to court

4 6.1

Completely direct with no doubt or excuse

3 7.9

Very poor and without money, a job, or a home

3 3.0

With the inner side showing on the outside

freak out
  • NSFW
3 8.2

A very scary, strong vision or experience caused by drugs

bug-out
  • Jargon
2 7.8

Ready to use in an emergency to leave quickly

A sale where a shop sells everything at low prices because it is closing

The latest time a guest must leave their hotel room

kick-out
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A kick that a goalkeeper makes to send the ball back into play

1 4.7

A gradual stopping of something that is planned

To push air out of your lungs

1 7.7

A person with no money, job, or home

read-out
  • Specialized
1 5.4

An electronic screen that shows numbers and text

The outside of clothing or fabric faces outward

out-migration
  • Specialized
1 7.1

People leaving an area to live in another place

out-of-doors
  • Archaic
1 3.2

The open air away from buildings

A way to find new, creative ideas to solve problems

Not usual and often interesting or surprising

To solve problems using new creative ideas

1 3.5

Arranged so they cover a wide area like papers fanned on a table

bug-out
  • US
1 8.3

A quick plan to leave a place because of danger

chewing out
  • Informal
1 7.0

A severe scolding for doing something wrong

1 6.3

The spread of information or products from one sender to many people

flame-out
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A jet engine suddenly stops burning fuel and loses power

force out
  • Jargon
1 7.2

A baseball out that happens when a fielder holding the ball touches the base a runner must reach

1 3.5

Dividing something into parts and giving each person a part

wig out
  • Informal
1 9.8

A short time when someone gets very upset and loses control

bawling out
  • Informal
7.6

A loud, angry talk that tells someone they made a mistake

caller-out
  • Jargon
9.0

A person who calls the steps in a dance like a square dance

7.8

A public challenge asking someone to fight or compete

call-out
  • Texting
7.4

A public statement blaming someone for wrong behavior

A set of steps for checking something before you finish or leave

chucker-out
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who removes troublemakers from a bar or club

3.9

To remove tangles from hair using a comb

7.0

Removing unwanted people or things from a group

fan-out
  • Specialized
7.9

The number of other electronic parts a single device can drive

fan-out
  • Specialized
7.3

The number of other program parts a single part calls or depends on

A day when a family goes out together for fun

How Revealed

to unmask
23 4.2
to leak
219 4.1
to out
  • Informal
2 7.7
to reveal
2.3
to hint
136 2.0

Surface Forms

out infinitive
outed past
outed past participle
outing present participle
outs third person singular

Etymology

Out as a verb comes from the idea of putting something 'out' into the open, so to out someone is to reveal them or make a secret 'in the open'.