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

His first year as a starter, in 2023, finished with UGA on the outside looking in of the playoff — the final year of the four-team format — after Georgia lost in the SEC Championship Game. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026

In addition to multiple slip and zippered pockets found on the outside and throughout the inside, this tote has a keyring holder and a padded laptop pouch. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

Still, with all of their offensive talent, the Bengals finished on the outside looking in with a 6-11 record that was capped with a 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Racist and antisemitic graffiti was found on the outside of Roxborough High School Sunday, the School District of Philadelphia said. —Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for on the outside

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide