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

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these pork chops are the dinner everyone will be asking for. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025

One key win, or untimely stumble, could be the difference between a historic postseason berth and another year on the outside looking in. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

While Madea rehabilitates her co-prisoners, her family on the outside struggles with the usual family issues. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025

Buffalo remains solidly on the outside of the playoff picture, and Eichel was a key factor in the Golden Knights’ winning their first Stanley Cup in 2023. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for on the outside

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