Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
on the outs. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
on the outs, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
on the outs in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
on the outs you have here. The definition of the word
on the outs will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
on the outs, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Prepositional phrase
on the outs
- (chiefly US, idiomatic) On unfriendly terms; estranged.
1961, Joan Didion, “On Self-Respect”, in Slouching Towards Bethlehem:I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nevertheless made a painstaking record of its every tremor.
1964, John Anton Dahl, Student, School, and Society: Crosscurrents in Secondary Education, page 83:A second ill of this day lies in the trend of getting more and more on the outs with those who have been more successful than we.
- 1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure
- He's staying at my place because he & Bridg are on the outs.
1998, Henry J. Frundt, Trade Conditions and Labor Rights: U.S. Initiatives, Dominican and Central ..., page 68:"The first country, Nicaragua, was a give-away," noted one State Department observer, referring to the GSP review of the country most on the outs with the administration.
2003, John Wingspread Howell, Naked in Church, page 409:The fact that he and her sister seemed to be more on the outs than ever may have been half her motivation in leaving the door open a crack.
Synonyms
See also
Further reading
- "on the outs" in Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, © 2006-2007 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.