Phrasal verb
leave out
Meanings
To not include something in a list, text, plan, or activity.
To exclude a person from a group, event, or activity.
Definition
To leave out means to not include someone or something.
When you leave out something, you do not include it in a list, plan, text, or activity. You can also leave out a person, meaning you exclude them from a group or event. It is often used when editing, summarizing, or making choices about what to include.
Examples
- I left out the last paragraph to keep the email short.
- You can leave out the onions if you don’t like them.
- He left out his coworker’s name during the introductions by mistake.
- She felt hurt when they left her out of the group photo.
- We left out a few details in the summary to avoid confusion.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "leave off" when they mean exclude a person or detail; use "leave out" for not including.
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.