get-out

[ get-out ]

noun

1. Commerce. the break-even point.
2. Chiefly British. a method or maneuver used to escape a difficult or embarrassing situation; cop-out:

   The scoundrel has used that get-out once too often.

get out

verb

1. to leave or escape or cause to leave or escape: used in the imperative when dismissing a person
2. to make or become known; publish or be published
3. tr to express with difficulty
4. troften foll byof to extract (information or money) (from a person)

   to get a confession out of a criminal

5. tr to gain or receive something, esp something of significance or value

   you get out of life what you put into it

6. foll by of to avoid or cause to avoid

   she always gets out of swimming

7. tr to solve (a puzzle or problem) successfully
8. cricket to dismiss or be dismissed

noun

1. an escape, as from a difficult situation
2. theatre the process of moving out of a theatre the scenery, props, and costumes after a production

Word History and Origins

Origin of get-out¹

First recorded in 1880–85; noun use of verb phrase get out

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. as all get-out, Informal. in the extreme; to the utmost degree:

   Once his mind is made up, he can be stubborn as all get-out.

Example Sentences

“It’s spilled over to the point where I get out of my car today and I’m ambushed by a media outlet here at my house,” Strahan said.

From Los Angeles Times

Although it sets itself up to be about something more than a guy creatively luring women to slavery and slaughter, “Heretic” doesn’t need to be anything more than it is — not every film can reflect real social horror with the scalpel’s edge of “Get Out.”

From Los Angeles Times

She made an excuse to get out and called the police who, hours later, arrested him.

From BBC

Another told us that, after detectives turned up at her house and told her what had been happening, she "couldn't get out of bed".

From BBC

Sometimes it is hard to get out front and do the right thing.

From Slate

Related Words

• avoid
• break out
• go
• leave
• take off