go out

verb

went out; gone out; going out; goes out

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go forth, abroad, or outdoors

specifically : to leave one's house

b(1)

: to take the field as a soldier

(2)

: to participate as a principal in a duel

c

: to travel as or as if a colonist or immigrant

d

: to work away from home

2

a

: to come to an end

b

: to give up office : resign

c

: to become obsolete or unfashionable

d(1)

: to play the last card of one's hand

(2)

: to reach or exceed the total number of points required for game in cards

e

: to bring a performance to a close

The band went out with a solid rendition of another Allmans classic …

—Joel Silverstein

3

a

: to take part in social activities

made plans to go out for drinks

b

: to date someone romantically

They've been going out for about six months.

4

: to go on strike

5

: break, collapse

6

: to become a candidate

went out for the football team

Phrases

go out with a bang

: to die, end, or finish in a thrilling, forceful, or impressive way

Game of Thrones is known for its impressive production value, so it is understandable why HBO would want to go out with a bang, making the final episodes the biggest television has ever seen.

—Emily Murray

Synonyms

• buckle
• cave (in)
• collapse
• crumple
• founder
• give
• go
• implode
• tumble
• yield

Examples of go out in a Sentence

there was concern that the dam would go out under the force of the flood waters

she enjoys going out on weekends, but during the week she's a homebody

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the program a day before the first $500 payments were supposed to go out. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 3 May 2024

Though Swift hasn't graced the red carpet in a few years (and doesn't appear to be attending this year due to the demands of her Eras Tour), her Met Gala moments will never go out of style. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024

But as a filmmaker, my flame has never gone out for them. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024

But what happens if the power in your plane actually does go out? —Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 May 2024

Actually, as host, the Nigerian government probably would go out of its way to keep the famous couple safe from the aforementioned kidnappings and terrorist attacks. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 May 2024

That night, the storms roared through and the power went out. —Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 1 May 2024

The singer from South Carolina went out for the show in Charlotte, N.C., finally making it on after two previous auditions. —Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 1 May 2024

Their first use wasn’t entirely without hiccups: The stadium lights went out right as Doval fired his last warm-up pitch in the bullpen. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

go out

verb

1

: to leave one's home

2

: to stop working

3

: to stop burning or glowing

4

: to become a candidate

went out for the football team