Phrasal verb
put out
Meanings
To extinguish a fire, flame, cigarette, or light.
To publish, release, or make something available (news, a statement, a product, an album).
To inconvenience, bother, or annoy someone (often by asking them to do something).
Definition
To put out means to extinguish something such as a fire, cigarette, or light.
To put out is most commonly used to mean to stop something burning or shining, like a fire or a light. It can also mean to make something available to the public, such as information or a new product. In some contexts, it means to inconvenience or annoy someone by asking for help or causing trouble.
Examples
- I put out the candle before I went to bed.
- Can you put out a short announcement about the schedule change?
- He felt put out when his neighbor asked for a ride at the last minute.
- We put out the campfire and checked the area for embers.
- They put out a new episode every Friday.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "put out" (extinguish/release/annoy) with "take out" (remove or go somewhere) and use the wrong verb in context.
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.