on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With programs like Georgetown and Providence making major moves in the transfer portal, Xavier may find itself on the outside looking in when March rolls around.
—
The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Instead of a buttery crust, this recipe calls for making a light-as-air meringue that bakes up crisp on the outside and marshmallowy in the center.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Right now, the Eagles are on the outside looking in but still have a chance to snap that streak.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Caustic conversations between Silver and execs Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll (they’d all worked together years before at Warner Bros) left the producer on the outside looking in.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Instead of a buttery crust, this recipe calls for making a light-as-air meringue that bakes up crisp on the outside and marshmallowy in the center.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Right now, the Eagles are on the outside looking in but still have a chance to snap that streak.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Caustic conversations between Silver and execs Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll (they’d all worked together years before at Warner Bros) left the producer on the outside looking in.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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