Definition of out of pocket
1
: from cash on hand : with one's own money rather than with money from another source (such as an insurance company)
- With so many people willing to pay out of pocket most insurance companies do not pay for the procedure, because they regard it as "cosmetic" …
- —Kenneth Chang
2
chiefly British
a
: in the position of having lost money
- On Oct. 7, the government suddenly pulled the plug on Railtrack PLC, the privatized owner of Britain's railway infrastructure, leaving the company's 250,000 shareholders out of pocket.
- —Kerry Capell
b
: out of funds : without money
- My wife and I are already consumers of Straus's organic yogurt, butter, cream and ice cream, although I admit when I am feeling out of pocket I opt for a slightly cheaper competitor.
- —Larry Gallagher
