Phrasal verb
be out
Meanings
to not be at home or not present in a particular place
to no longer be available (sold out or used up)
Definition
To be out means to not be at home or not present at a place.
When you are out, you are not at home or not at the place where someone expects you to be. People often use it to explain why someone cannot answer the door, phone, or join something right now. It can also mean that something is no longer available, like a product in a store.
Examples
- I’m sorry, I can’t meet tonight—I’ll be out.
- She called the office, but he was out all afternoon.
- They rang the doorbell twice, but we were out.
- Is the manager in, or is she out right now?
- We tried to buy tickets at the station, but they were out.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "is out" for objects when they mean "out of stock" (e.g., say "It’s out of stock" rather than just "It’s out").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.