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
Inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr. also can play some on the outside.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
The Chiefs brought in free agent Kristian Fulton to line up opposite Trent McDuffie on the outside — but also let McDuffie move inside on three-receiver sets.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Dave Toub, the respected special teams coordinator, said Thornton is the team’s best gunner, a position that lines up on the outside and is tasked with taking down the returner.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
But if the Yankees aren't able to right their ship and do find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time, the team could replace manager Aaron Boone with Carlos Beltran, a potential Hall of Famer who is associated with both the Yankees and Astros as well as the New York Mets.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
The Chiefs brought in free agent Kristian Fulton to line up opposite Trent McDuffie on the outside — but also let McDuffie move inside on three-receiver sets.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025
Dave Toub, the respected special teams coordinator, said Thornton is the team’s best gunner, a position that lines up on the outside and is tasked with taking down the returner.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
But if the Yankees aren't able to right their ship and do find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time, the team could replace manager Aaron Boone with Carlos Beltran, a potential Hall of Famer who is associated with both the Yankees and Astros as well as the New York Mets.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share