be out

1. To not be present in a particular place. George is actually out for the afternoon—can I take a message? A: "Where's Mom?" B: "Mom's out. Do you need something?" I haven't seen Piper, she's been out all day, as far as I know.

2. To have left a particular place in order to do something. I'm out for groceries right now, but I'll be home soon. Please tell me you're out getting a snow shovel right now. Even though I was out all day, I still couldn't find a birthday gift for Paul.

3. To have been released from prison. I can't believe I'll finally be out in a few days. My sentence felt twice as long as it actually was. Yeah, Joel's out now, but he's still on house arrest. Many are outraged that the convicted killer is out after just two years in prison due to giving evidence against his fellow gang members.

4. To not be functioning currently. The power is out. I bet a fallen tree is to blame. Why is the Internet out all of a sudden? Two of the fluorescent lights in the department are out now? OK, please call maintenance and have them come down and fix it.

5. To be asleep. Please be quiet—the kids are out, and I really don't want them to wake up. The dog's been out for an hour now. Guess we really tired him out on that long hike this morning! I was out, and I missed my stop! Aw man, I thought I'd set an alarm on my phone.

6. To have revealed one's homosexuality. I'm not surprised that he's out now—I always thought he might be gay. I don't know that Jason is out to everyone yet, so let's not talk about his boyfriend in mixed company. It's a huge relief to finally be out to my family.

7. To be pursuing something in a persistent or determined manner. Sure, I'm worried that Joan is out for my job—I see how hard she's been working. In a cutthroat industry like this, someone is always out to destroy your reputation. Those people are out for our dream house? OK, then we need to go way over the asking price.

8. To be visible in the sky. I'm so glad that the sun is finally out after all those rainy days. The moon is out, and, yikes, it's looking like a full one tonight. The stars are out, there's a breeze in the air, it's just a lovely night.

9. To no longer be fashionable or trendy. Haven't you heard? Wearing knee-high socks is out now! Thank goodness leisure suits are out these days. I hate to tell you this, but that style of cocktail dress you're wearing is out right now.

10. To no longer be considered a feasible option. Lana doesn't want Chinese food, so that's out—how about Mexican? That movie sounds boring to you? OK, well, that's out, I guess. If that candidate really does have a criminal record, then he's out.

11. To discuss or reveal something in a direct, candid, or honest fashion. I really appreciate how she is out about her mental health struggles—it helps to break the stigma. A: "I'm sorry I just dumped all that on you." B: "No, it's OK. I think more people should be out about life during divorce." I suspect that candidate wasn't out about his criminal record because he knew it would tank his chances of getting the job.

12. For an offensive player in baseball, to have to return to the dugout after a play has rendered them "out." You'll be out if one of their players catches your hit. Nah, Phillips is out—he tried to steal but was tagged by the second baseman. A: "Wait, Mark's out again?" B: "Yep, three strikeouts today. Not a great day for him at the plate."

13. To have exhausted a supply (of something). I'm sorry, but we're out of mashed potatoes—can I get you something else? A: "You don't have any of these blenders?" B: "Yes, we're out right now, but we're expecting a fresh shipment next week." Man, that carnival booth is out of prizes!

be out in bloom

To have fully blossomed, as of a flower, tree, or other such plant. Our back yard is so colorful now that all the flowers are out in bloom. I'm surprised the apple trees aren't out in bloom yet. I'm thinking of going to the botanical garden on Friday—all of the tulips are out in bloom.

be out

1. To be at the exterior of some space, such as a building: I won't close the window if the cat is still out.

2. To be away from home or other central location: Your brother was out when I came by to see him.

3. To be no longer in prison: I've been out for five years, and I don't want to end up behind bars ever again.

4. To be unobstructed by clouds. Used of the sun, moon, and stars: It's quite light outside now that the moon is out.

5. To be in some weather condition. Used with it: Is it nice out? It was rainy out, so we stayed inside.

6. To be extinguished. Used of sources of light: The lamps are out and I can't see a thing.

7. To be nonfunctional due to disconnection: We can't take that road because the bridge is out. All of the phone lines were out for three days after the storm.

8. To be asleep or unconscious: I drank some soothing tea before I went to bed, and I was out in three minutes.

9. To be no longer in fashion: Wide ties and thick socks are out this year.

10. To be excluded as a possibility: We have to pick them up; driving home without them is out. I would like to meet you today, but this afternoon is out; how about this evening?

11. To be determined to do something. Used with an infinitive clause: Watch out: they are out to steal your wallet!

12. To be open and honest about something that one might hide: He was completely out about his past as a jewel thief.

13. To be open about being a gay man, a lesbian, or a bisexual: Most of her friends were out, but she was still shy about it.

14. Baseball To have lost a position as a batter or runner: If someone catches the ball you hit before it reaches the ground, you're out. The player was out at third base.

15. be out for To have left a central location in order to fetch or do something: John's not here; he's out for a walk. They were out for more supplies when we arrived at their camp.

16. be out of To no longer have something that has been used up; have run out of something: We're out of pickles; could you go to the store and buy some? The car wouldn't start; it was out of gas.