Language Research

out of · preposition

/ˈɑʊt̬.əv/Full view

out of (NO LONGER IN PLACE)

A2 no longer in a particular place or area

Dictionary example:

He has been out of the country for a long time.

Learner example:

When you arrive please come to my home and then we can go there because it's out of the city. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

out of (NO LONGER INSIDE)

B1 used to show movement away from the inside of a place or container

Dictionary examples:

A peach rolled out of the bag.

I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs.

Learner example:

Once he told me that he and his other friend saw a cat falling out of a window. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

out of (MADE FROM)

B1 used to show what something is made from

Dictionary examples:

The dress is made out of silk.

The statue was carved out of a single block of stone.

Learner example:

I like wearing skirts made out of denim because they fit me perfectly. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Tamil)

out of (FROM AMONG)

B1 from among an amount or number

Dictionary examples:

Nine out of ten people said they liked the product.

No one got 20 out of 20 in the test.

Learner example:

He got 99.4 out of 100, "Oh my God". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Greek)

out of (NO LONGER IN CONDITION)

B2 no longer in a particular condition or situation

Dictionary example:

The patient is now out of danger.

Learner example:

She told me that D was out of danger and that she will have other information tomorrow. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

out of (BECAUSE OF)

B2 used to show the reason why someone does something

Dictionary examples:

I took the job out of necessity because we had no money left.

She volunteered out of a sense of duty.

I only went there out of curiosity.

Learner example:

When the warrior had left, the explorer [explored the cave] out of curiosity and [to] his big surprise found the treasure. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

be out of sth

B2 to have no more of something left

Dictionary example:

We're almost out of gas.

Learner example:

By then I was out of money so I start[ed] walking. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

out of date

B1 old and no longer useful, correct or fashionable

Dictionary example:

These unemployment figures are out of date.

Learner example:

However, the information in the book seems out of date and mislead[ing]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

out of order

B1 If a machine or system is out of order, it is not working as it should.

Dictionary example:

The elevator is out of order.

Learner example:

Last week my TV was out of order. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Dutch)

out of work

B1 not in a job

Dictionary examples:

I've been out of work for the last six months.

Both she and her husband are out of work.

Learner example:

Right now I am out of work and would like to try som[e]thing different for a while. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

be out of breath

B2 to be breathing quickly because you have been running, walking fast, etc.

Dictionary example:

He ran into the room, red-faced and out of breath.

Learner example:

Although I was out of breath I started to run faster and faster. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

out of control

B2 If something or someone is out of control, you cannot influence, limit or direct it.

Dictionary examples:

The weeds in my garden are out of control.

The car went out of control, crashing into an oncoming truck.

Learner example:

I had just driven through Piazza Duomo, when another car came round a corner much too fast, skidded, and went out of control. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

out of nowhere

B2 If someone or something appears out of nowhere, it appears suddenly or unexpectedly.

Dictionary example:

The car came out of nowhere and we had to swerve to miss it.

Learner example:

I was lying all alone on the beach, then suddenly, out of nowhere, right behind me those strange creatures appeared. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

be out of practice

B2 to not do something well because you have not done it recently

Dictionary example:

I didn't play very well today - I'm out of practice.

Learner example:

I think playing in the club will be a great opportunity for me so as not to be out of practice. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

out of stock

B2 not available in a store

Dictionary example:

The book is out of stock at the moment.

Learner example:

And sometimes the item you are looking for is out of stock. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

out of season

C1 If vegetables or fruit are out of season, they are not usually available at that time.

Dictionary example:

Strawberries are out of season now.

Learner example:

As our place was famous for fresh sea food, I bought crabs and salmon although they were out of season and expensive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

out of tune

C1 singing or playing the wrong notes

Dictionary example:

The piano is out of tune.

Learner example:

Even if you sing out of tune please call us. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

out of the blue

C1 If something happens out of the blue, it is completely unexpected.

Dictionary example:

An old fried of mine from college called me out of the blue yesterday.

Learner example:

Dear Kim, I was extremely happy when I received your letter out of the blue. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

out of your depth

C2 not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with a particular subject or situation

Dictionary example:

When they start talking about philosophy, I'm completely out of my depth.

Learner example:

It was my first day of school. What I can remember is that I really felt out of my depth: my parents were so happy that I couldn't succeed in telling them that I was terribly frightened and that [the only] thing that I wanted was my doll. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

out of the ordinary

C2 unusual or different

Dictionary example:

The investigation revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

Learner example:

This event is something out of the ordinary for local life and it gives our town prestige and originality. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

be out of this world

C2 to be of extremely good quality

Dictionary example:

Their chocolate cake is just out of this world!

Learner example:

The dessert trays are out of this world. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

(be) out of line

C2 If someone's actions or words are out of line, they are beyond what is considered acceptable in that situation.

Dictionary example:

You can disagree with her, but calling her dishonest was way out of line.

Learner example:

Today I see that my mother was right in this aspect since I acted extremely out of line sometimes and a soft hand certainly wouldn't help me in the future. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

get out of hand

C2 to become difficult to control

Dictionary example:

It was the end of week and the children were getting a little out of hand.

Learner example:

A few solutions can prevent this problem from getting out of hand. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

out of place

C2 not in the correct position

Dictionary example:

Why are my files all out of place?

Learner example:

It was awful getting back from school and se[e]ing all my things out of place. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

out of place

C2 not right or suitable for a particular situation

Dictionary example:

Everyone else was wearing jeans and I felt completely out of place in my office clothes.

Learner example:

This does not mean everybody is wearing tuxedos and dresses but you might be out of place just wearing shorts and a shirt. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

out of proportion

C2 If something is out of proportion, it is much bigger or smaller than it should be, when compared to other things.

Dictionary example:

The punishment is completely out of proportion to the crime.

Learner example:

If you were doing it to make a profit, I could understand, but for a library it is just out of proportion [and] I even believe more people could be attracted [if] the prices decrease. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

be out of the question

C2 If something is out of the question, it is not possible or not allowed.

Dictionary example:

Providing more money is out of the question.

Learner example:

Walking home was out of the question since that would have taken even longer. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

out of season

C2 If you go somewhere out of season, you go during a period of the year when few people are there.

Dictionary example:

I prefer to travel out of season.

Learner example:

Some towns [that] are completely dependent on tourism "die" out of season, while others are destroyed because of the excessive emigration of [their] people. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

out of shape

C2 not healthy or physically strong

Dictionary example:

Since I stopped riding my bike, I've gotten out of shape.

Learner example:

I no longer run and it has been more than a year since the last time I raced, [so] I am out of shape. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

be out of touch

C2 to be unaware of things that have been happening or what other people think

Dictionary examples:

Tell me what's been going on - I've been away for a month and out of touch.

A few of the older teachers are completely out of touch with their students.

Learner example:

In much worse cases, some individuals may even be trapped in the virtual world and get out of touch with the real one. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)