inside out

adverb

1

: in such a manner that the inner surface becomes the outer

turned the shirt inside out

2

: to a thorough degree

knows the subject inside out

3

: in or into a state of disarray often involving drastic reorganization

turned the business inside out

Synonyms of inside out

• systematically
• thoroughly
• in detail
• at length
• from the ground up
• from stem to stern

Examples of inside out in a Sentence

after 20 years of employment there, he has come to know the company inside out

Recent Examples on the Web

Harper and his Angeleno peers show how noir in any setting can work in this century, a time of rampant corruption, outsize villains, and morality turned inside out. — Carolyn Kellogg, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

My mind turning inside out and crumbling, the earth shaking beneath me, my vision shattered by jagged black lines. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

Washing inside out also helps prevent color loss from abrasion, which can leave dark colors looking faded. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

With nine wins there, the most of any F1 driver at a single track, Hamilton knows his home circuit inside out. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inside out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

inside out

adverb

1

: in such a way that the inner surface becomes the outer

2

: to a thorough degree

knows the family history inside out