get out

1. To remove or extract something from some person, place, or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "out." Can you get out that book for me? It's too high up on the shelf for me to reach. Were the doctors able to get that shard of glass out of his foot? Let me find the tweezers, and I'll get that splinter out of your finger.

2. To rescue, remove, or extricate someone from a troublesome, difficult, unpleasant, or burdensome situation or circumstance. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "out." When you run into trouble, you can always rely on your parents to get you out. The embassy is committed to getting out its citizens who have been impacted by the conflict in the region. Get the kids out of here before they get hurt!

3. To exit or extricate oneself (from something or some place). The child fell down the well and couldn't get out. Please get out of the vehicle with your hands up! I couldn't get out of my driveway because it was a sheet of ice—my wheels just couldn't get any traction.

4. To leave, depart, or flee. We need to get out of here before the police show up! A: "The company went bankrupt about three months after I quit." B: "Wow, it sounds like you got out just in time." Is that a security alarm? Dude, we need to get out of here!

5. expression Leave this place; go away from here. A: "I swear I didn't mean for this to happen." B: "Just get out. I don't want to see you ever again." I couldn't explain my side of the story because Alice told me to just get out—and then slammed the door in my face. Get out, jerk. No one wants you here.

6. To speak, sing, or otherwise verbalize something, often when doing so is difficult. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "out." I was supposed to sing in the talent show, but once I saw how many people were in the audience, I couldn't get a note out. Please, let me get the words out before I lose my nerve! I was so overcome with emotion that I couldn't get a single word of the eulogy out before I burst into tears.

7. To be revealed. How did word get out? We tried so hard to make sure she didn't know about the surprise party. Please don't tell anyone. I'm so early in my pregnancy that I'm not comfortable with the news getting out just yet. You're trying so hard to keep this hidden, but I think it's going to get out anyway. Too many people saw what happened.

8. To reveal something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "out." If the government doesn't get these facts out there now, more people will die. What if this happens again? Has the school even gotten a safety plan out there? If a train line isn't running, you guys have to get that information out to commuters ASAP!

9. To produce, create, or publish something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "out." How soon can we get out the next issue of the magazine? I can't get this report out yet, not while I'm still waiting on several people to sign off on it. I am planning to continue the series, but it takes time to get a book out! Sheesh!

See also: get, out

Get out!

interjection An exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or incredulity. Get out! You're going to write me up just because I was five minutes late? You just won the lottery? Get out! Wait, we're really going to Disney World? Get out!

get it out

Fig. to tell someone about a problem; to pour out one's grief. (Fixed order.) Come on, get it out. You'll feel better. He would feel better if he could get it out.

See also: get, out

get something out (of someone or something)

to remove something from someone or something. He probably will be okay when they get the tumor out of him. Please get that dog out of the living room.

See also: get, out

get something out

1. Lit. to remove or extricate something. Please help me get this splinter out. Would you help me get out this splinter? The tooth was gotten out without much difficulty.

2. Fig. to manage to get something said. He tried to say it before he died, but he couldn't get it out. I had my mouth full and couldn't get out the words.

See also: get, out

get out

1. Leave, escape, as in With good conduct he'll get out of prison in a few months, or In case of a fire, we just want to get out alive. [c. 1300] This phrase is also used as an imperative, ordering someone to depart. For example, Get out! You've no business being in here. [c. 1700] Also see get out of, def. 1.

2. Become known, as in Somehow the secret got out. [Late 1800s] Also see out in the open.

3. get something out. Publish something, as in Once we get out the newsletter, we can concentrate on other projects. [Late 1700s]

4. Produce a sound, as in The singer had a sore throat and could hardly get out a note. [First half of 1800s] Also see the subsequent idioms beginning with get out.

See also: get, out

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.

get out

1. To leave or escape: I got out of the car and followed them. I'm stuck in this terrible job and I can't get out. Someone left the door open and the cat got out.

2. To cause to leave or escape: I got them out of the car just in time.

3. To bring something into the open; expose something in order to use it: The students got their notebooks out and began writing. The reporters got out their equipment and started recording.

4. To express some feeling, emotion, or condition: If something is bothering you, you should get it out so we can discuss it.

5. To become known: Somehow our secret got out.

6. To cause something to become known; disseminate something: We need to get this important information out. Let's get out the news as quickly as possible.

7. To produce or manufacture something: The factory got out 5,000 parts just in time. The publisher got 25 new titles out last year.

See also: get, out

get it out

tv. to tell (someone) about a problem; to pour out one’s grief. He would feel better if he could get it out.

See also: get, out

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