speak out

speak out

To voice one's opinion loudly, aggressively, or publicly. If I had only spoken out when I suspected something was wrong, none of this would have happened. Many senators on both sides of the aisle are speaking out against the proposed legislation.

See also: out, speak

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

speak out (on something)

to say something frankly and directly; to speak one's mind. This law is wrong, and I intend to speak out on it until it is repealed. You must speak out. People need to know what you think.

See also: out, speak

speak out

(against someone or something) to speak negatively and publicly about someone or something; to reveal something negative, in speech, about someone or something. I don't want to speak out against my friends, but I am afraid I have to. The citizens spoke out against corruption in government.

See also: out, speak

speak out

to speak loudly; to speak to be heard. (See also speak out (about someone or something).) Please speak out. We need to hear you. They won't hear you in the back row if you don't speak out.

See also: out, speak

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

speak out

v.

To talk freely and fearlessly, as about a public issue: Only one newspaper spoke out against the dictator. The politician was not afraid to speak out on controversial issues. Everyone was concerned about the problem, but no one spoke out.

See also: out, speak

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.