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

• 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

DaCosta turns Ibsen’s text inside out, making the Tesmans’ home the site of those festivities. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025

These robots grow from their tip by turning their skin inside out, a mechanism that enables them to advance without dragging against their surroundings. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

To keep your favorite jeans looking like you just bought them, Ceconi says to wash them inside out to protect the coloring and material. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025

Turning exercise clothing inside out also helps prevent fading as a result of abrasion and dye transfer. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

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