bail

bail someone or something out

Fig. to rescue someone or something from trouble or difficulty. (Based on bail someone out of jail.) The proposed law was in trouble, but Senator Todd bailed out the bill at the last minute. I was going to be late with my report, but my roommate lent a hand and bailed me out at the last minute.

See also: out

bail someone out of jail and bail someone out 

1. Lit. to deposit a sum of money that allows someone to get out of jail while waiting for a trial. John was in jail. I had to go down to the police station to bail him out. I need some cash to bail out a friend!

2. Fig. to help someone who is having difficulties. When my brother went broke, I had to bail him out with a loan.

See also: out

bail something out 

1. to remove water from the bottom of a boat by dipping or scooping. Tom has to bail the boat out before we get in. You should always bail out a boat before using it.

2. to empty a boat of accumulated water. Would you bail this boat out? I will bail out the boat.

See also: out

bail out (of something)

1. Lit. to jump out of an airplane with a parachute. John still remembers the first time he bailed out of a plane. When we get to 8,000 feet, we'll all bail out and drift down together. We'll open our parachutes at 2,000 feet.

2. Fig. to abandon a situation; to get out of something. John got tired of school, so he just bailed out. Please stay, Bill. You've been with us too long to bail out now.

See also: out

jump bail and skip bail

Fig. to fail to appear in court for trial and forfeit one's bail bond. Not only was Bob arrested for theft, he skipped bail and left town. He's in a lot of trouble. The judge issued a warrant for the arrest of the man who jumped bail.

See also: jump

out on bail

out of jail after a court appearance and pending trial because bail bond money has been paid. (The money will be forfeited if the person who is out on bail does not appear for trial at the proper time.) Bob got out on bail waiting for his trial. The robber committed another crime while out on bail.

See also: out

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bail somebody out also bail out somebody

to help someone out of a difficult situation by providing money When the airlines began to fail, they asked the government to bail them out.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bail out (to use a container to remove water from a boat)

See also: out

bail out (of something)

to stop doing something or being involved in something Bad working conditions have caused many nurses to bail out of the profession. The TV show triggered a number of protests, and some of the sponsors bailed out.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bail out (to jump out of an aircraft with a parachute)

See also: out

jump bail also skip bail

to fail to appear in court after giving money to obtain your release before trial McPhee jumped bail and was never heard from again.

See also: jump