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
As 20 of the NBA’s 30 teams prepare for either the full-fledged playoffs or at least the league’s play-in tournament, the Hornets are on the outside looking in.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
At the end of the day, your health is a reflection of you and shines on the outside anyway.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
In what’s become the ongoing theme of this TV awards season, the limited or anthology series is a bloodbath and overflowing with top-tier talent, which will likely leave many Emmy worthy performers and series on the outside looking in.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The restaurant may not be anything fancy or flashy on the outside, but customers come from all over Tarrant County and across the country, Jones said.
—Jenny Rudolph, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024
But in Dorothy’s case, she was born with her fallopian tubes, kidneys, stomach, liver, ovaries, and intestines, on the outside of her stomach.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The substance found on the outside of the building at 9200 N. Green Bay Road originated outside of the store, Pick 'n Save officials said.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
Three weeks ago, the floundering Wolfpack was on the outside of the NCAAs — not even a bubble team, in fact.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
The son of a Chinese father and a white Jewish mother, Leong had struggled in middle school with his identity, feeling on the outside of popular social cliques.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2024
At the end of the day, your health is a reflection of you and shines on the outside anyway.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
In what’s become the ongoing theme of this TV awards season, the limited or anthology series is a bloodbath and overflowing with top-tier talent, which will likely leave many Emmy worthy performers and series on the outside looking in.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The restaurant may not be anything fancy or flashy on the outside, but customers come from all over Tarrant County and across the country, Jones said.
—Jenny Rudolph, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024
But in Dorothy’s case, she was born with her fallopian tubes, kidneys, stomach, liver, ovaries, and intestines, on the outside of her stomach.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
The substance found on the outside of the building at 9200 N. Green Bay Road originated outside of the store, Pick 'n Save officials said.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024
Three weeks ago, the floundering Wolfpack was on the outside of the NCAAs — not even a bubble team, in fact.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
The son of a Chinese father and a white Jewish mother, Leong had struggled in middle school with his identity, feeling on the outside of popular social cliques.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the outside.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 26 Apr. 2024.
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