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Glite Dictionary
to ration out

to ration out

1 4.2
To give people small set amounts of things like food or water when supplies are low
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈræʃən aʊt/
translation icon : racionar
  • You wouldn't be buying organic produce, and you'd be rationing out pastured meat to basically be a few pounds of ground meat here or there.

But I think what gets us, I actually think what gets us into trouble is that we don't ration out compassion equally between other people and ourselves.

Examples

  • During the drought, the town had to ration out water to each household.

  • If you keep on the offensive, you will be able to prevent the government from rationing out substandard health care to you in the name of universal care.

    Blog text (8)

  • But I think what gets us, I actually think what gets us into trouble is that we don't ration out compassion equally between other people and ourselves.

    Matthew Hussey

  • Everybody on the podcast you hear all these sponsors we got all of it goes to Carl's house and then Carl rations it out little pieces.

  • I literally had to cut my Cleo into four pieces to force myself to ration out the epicness (as opposed to shoving the whole thing in my mouth, which is what I really wanted to do).

    Blog text (1)

  • In order to conserve food supplies, they decided to ration out the available grains.

  • The school will ration out lunch portions to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Synonyms

to distribute
vsto ration out
87 2.0

Give things to several people or places

is more specific about fixed small allotments in scarcity situations
to pass out
vsto ration out
68 2.7

To give things to people in a group, like papers or drinks

is more about fixed limited distribution during shortages rather than general giving
to ration
vsto ration out
34 5.1

To limit how much food or supplies each person gets when there is not enough

is used specifically for distributing fixed limited amounts in shortage situations
to divvy up
vsto ration out
  • Informal
10 4.2

Share things or money between several people

is a formal controlled distribution of limited amounts during shortages
to apportion
vsto ration out
8 7.0

To divide something and give parts to different people or groups

stresses fixed limited amounts for fairness during scarcity
to mete
vsto ration out
  • Formal
4 8.1

To give something in set amounts, for example punishments or praise

focuses on measured limited allotments during scarcity
to parcel out
vsto ration out
3 4.8

To divide something into parts and give each part to different people

implies controlled small allocations when resources are scarce
to portion out
vsto ration out
1 3.4

To divide something into parts and give each part to different people

focuses on set limited portions given in shortage situations
to proportion
vsto ration out
1 5.3

To divide something into parts according to a set share

is narrower and adds the idea of limits during scarcity rather than just ratios
apportioned
vsto ration out
6.5

Divided and given out to people or groups according to a plan

is about fixed small shares given when supplies are low

Antonyms

to give away
233 2.0

Hand something to someone without asking for money

How Restricted

to restrict
361 3.1
to ration out
1 4.2
to allot
33 3.7
to give out
143 2.3

Surface Forms

ration out infinitive
rationed out past
rationed out past participle
rationing out present participle
rations out third person singular

Morphology

ration + out

The meaning 'to distribute in fixed or limited amounts' is directly derivable from 'ration' (to distribute or restrict supplies) combined with the particle 'out' indicating distribution outward. This verb+out composition follows a predictable English pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The verb ration out comes from times of war when people were given a small, fixed ration of food or supplies so everyone had some. That's why ration out means 'to give something in limited amounts'.