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

Turn the garment inside out so that the water flows from the back of the shirt to the front, pushing the stain out and away from the fabric. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025

Trump, please turn it inside out and backward. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

While Ortega chose to wear her Ringo Bag with the glossy side out, it can also be flipped inside out to reveal a durable white canvas material. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2025

His concise swing path — inside out — recalls Tony Gwynn, yet the lefty has home run power to all fields. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 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