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
Finally, wipe down the exterior and the drip trays to make sure there is no coffee residue on the outside of the espresso machine.
—
Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2024
Boeing is defending the integrity of the fuselages on two of its largest planes, which have come under criticism from a whistleblower who warns that panels on the outside of one of the planes could eventually break apart during flight.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
This recipe, which is great for Passover, comes out crisp and golden on the outside and creamy on the inside — akin to a shareable hash brown or a giant latke.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Located in the Newton Booth or Upper Grid neighborhood, at 2101 28th St., the one-story home’s plain, block storehouse appearance on the outside conceals the industrial-chic style inside.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
Erin Bruce recently shared a TikTok video of herself and her husband dancing on the outside patio of their hotel room in Cancun.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
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
Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2024
Boeing is defending the integrity of the fuselages on two of its largest planes, which have come under criticism from a whistleblower who warns that panels on the outside of one of the planes could eventually break apart during flight.
—David Koenig, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
This recipe, which is great for Passover, comes out crisp and golden on the outside and creamy on the inside — akin to a shareable hash brown or a giant latke.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024
Located in the Newton Booth or Upper Grid neighborhood, at 2101 28th St., the one-story home’s plain, block storehouse appearance on the outside conceals the industrial-chic style inside.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
Erin Bruce recently shared a TikTok video of herself and her husband dancing on the outside patio of their hotel room in Cancun.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
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
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 3 May. 2024.
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