be out for (something)

1. To be very eager to or intent on achieving or obtaining something. You can tell the young legal aide is out for a promotion, judging by the amount of time and energy he keeps putting into each case. You can tell that Hamilton is out for revenge against the driver that snatched victory from him at the last second. Those people are out for our dream house? OK, then we need to go way over the asking price.

2. To be absent from one's usual location in order to do or get something. Sorry, Mrs. Murphy is out for lunch—can I take a message? A: "Mom and Dad are out for their anniversary dinner, so I'm watching you guys." B: "Ooh, can we have mac and cheese then?" It's so nice to be out for brunch. We don't usually get to do this!

3. To be absent from one's usual location or activity for a particular length of time. The boss is going to be out for a week while she takes her vacation. Your teacher is out for the day with the flu, so Mr. Roberts here is going to be your substitute teacher. Carrie's out for months on her maternity leave, so I'm handling these accounts right now.

out for, be

1. Be intent on, want, as in The management is mostly out for bigger growth in sales. [c. 1900]

2. out for blood. Intent on revenge, ready to fight with someone, as in When Tom heard they'd outbid him, he was out for blood. This hyperbolic term uses blood in the sense of "bloodshed" or "violent confrontation." Also see go out for.