get out

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get out (third-person singular simple present gets out, present participle getting out, simple past got out, past participle (UK) got out or (US) gotten out)

1. (intransitive) To leave or escape.

   In case of fire, get out by the nearest exit.

   You have to get out on a bull to succeed in a rodeo.

   • 1954, J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel] Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings, London: George Allen & Unwin, →OCLC, page [1]:

     ‘It is grim reading,’ he said. ‘I fear their end was cruel. Listen! We cannot get out. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Frár and Lóni and Náli fell there. Then there are four lines smeared so that I can only read went 5 days ago. The last lines run the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Óin. We cannot get out. The end comes, and then drums, drums in the deep. I wonder what that means. The last thing written is in a trailing scrawl of elf-letters: they are coming. There is nothing more.’ Gandalf paused and stood in silent thought.

2. (intransitive) To come out of a situation; to escape a fate.

   Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

3. (intransitive) To be released, especially from hospital or prison.

   He's been in prison for six months, but he gets out next week.

4. (intransitive) To remove one's money from an investment; to end an investment.

   I think copper prices will plummet this fall, so I'm getting out while I can.

5. (transitive) To help (someone) leave.

   We must get the children out first.

6. (transitive) To take (something) from its container or storage place, so as to use or display it.

   Get the playing cards out and we'll have a game of snap.

   It's time to get the Christmas decorations out.

7. (intransitive) To leave the inside of a vehicle such as a car. (Note: for public transport, get off is more common.)

   I'll get out at the end of the road and walk from there.

8. (intransitive) To become known.

   Somehow the secret got out.

   We have to act before that fact gets out on us.

9. (intransitive) To spend free time out of the house.

   You work too hard. You should get out more.

10. (transitive) To publish or make available; to disseminate.

    The organization has just gotten their newsletter out.

    This candidate is struggling to get her message out.

11. (transitive) To say with difficulty.

    He could hardly get the words out for the tears.

12. (transitive) To remove or eliminate (dirt or stains).

    This detergent will get most household stains out.

13. (intransitive) To end.

    School gets out in the afternoon.

• (leave or escape): exit, go out
• (help someone leave): remove
• (take something from its container): take out, extract
• (become known): transpire
• (clean, eliminate dirt or stains): remove

• get-out (noun)

get out

1. (literally) Commanding a person to leave.

   Get out! I never want to see you in here again!

2. Indicating incredulity.
   • 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 91:

     "Giants in armour, sir. Hundred feet high. Three legs and a body like 'luminium, with a mighty great head in a hood, sir." "Get out!" said the lieutenant. "What confounded nonsense!".

3. (UK, Ireland, slang) Expressing disapproval or disgust, especially after a bad joke.

   Just get out.

• get away
• get out of here
• get out of it
• get out of town

• goutte, goutté