get (someone) out of (somewhere)
To evacuate, rescue, or remove someone from something or some place. We have to get them out of there before the whole building collapses! Your friend is getting belligerent—you'd better get him out of here. But our little town doesn't have enough emergency workers to get the child out of the well!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
get someone or something out of someone or something
and get someone or something outto release or extricate someone or something from someone, something, or some place. See if you can get the cat out of this cabinet. I can't get the nail out of the board. I can get out almost anything with my pry bar.
get something out of someone
to cause or force someone to give specific information. We will get the truth out of her yet. The detective couldn't get anything out of the suspect. They got a confession out of him by beating him.
get something out of something
to get some kind of benefit from something. I didn't get anything out of the lecture. I'm always able to get something helpful out of our conversations.
get out of (doing) something
to manage not to have to do something. I was supposed to go to a wedding, but I got out of it. Jane had an appointment, but she got out of it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
get out of
1. Emerge or escape from, as in
I hate to get out of bed on cold mornings or
He'll be lucky to get out of this mess. [First half of 1500s] Also see
get out, def. 1.
2. Go beyond, as in
The cat had climbed into the tree; she'd gotten well out of my reach. [First half of 1600s] Also see
out of control;
out of sight.
3. Evade or avoid, as in
He tried to get out of answering their questions, or
Please get out of the way so we can pass. [Late 1800s] Also see
out of the way.
4. Elicit or draw out something from someone. For example, I can't get a straight answer out of him, or Getting a contribution out of her is like pulling teeth. [First half of 1600s]
5. Get rid of something, remove, as in
Get these cats out of the house, or
I can't get this melody out of my head. Also see
out of one's system.
6. Extract from, obtain from. For example,
You can get a lot of juice out of these oranges, or
She got little or nothing out of this investment. It is also put as
get the most out of, meaning "use to the greatest advantage," as in
He gets the most out of his staff. [Second half of 1600s] Also see
get a bang out of;
get a rise out of;
get mileage out of.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.