Take Out – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever removed a splinter, borrowed a book from the library, ordered pizza for dinner, or treated a friend to a movie? In English, all these actions use the phrase take out. This versatile phrasal verb has several everyday meanings—and context tells you which one fits.

What Does “Take Out” Mean?

“Take out” has four common uses:
1. To remove something from a place: “Take out the trash.”
2. To borrow something (especially from a library): “I took out three books.”
3. To order food to eat elsewhere: “Let’s take out sushi tonight.”
4. To escort someone socially (often on a date): “He took her out for her birthday.”
Think of it like moving something from inside to outside—whether it’s trash, a book, dinner, or a person on a fun evening.

When to Use It

Use “take out” in casual or neutral situations:
• At home: “Don’t forget to take out the recycling.”
• In libraries or rentals: “You can take out up to ten DVDs.”
• When ordering food: “We’re too tired to cook—let’s take out.”
• In social or dating contexts: “She took her dad out for Father’s Day.”
It’s extremely common in speaking, texts, and everyday English. Avoid it in formal writing unless describing a clear action.

Example Sentences

• Can you take out the dog before bed?
• I took out a loan to pay for my course.
• They took out Chinese food last night.
• He’s saving up to take his crush out on a real date.

Mini Dialogue

Alex: “Why’s the kitchen so clean?”

Jamie: “Because I took out the trash, did the dishes, and ordered pizza. Total win.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t confuse “take out” with “take away.” In American English, “take out” = order food to go. “Take away” is British English for the same idea—but in the U.S., “takeaway” can also mean a lesson or key point (“The takeaway is to be kind”). Also, when “take out” means “remove,” it’s usually physical—not emotional.

❌ Don’t say: “I took out my anger on the pillow.” (Use “took out” only if you literally removed something. For emotions, say “I took my anger out on the pillow”—note the word order!)
✅ Do say: “Take out the garbage.”
✅ Do say: “I took my sister out for coffee.”

Final Note

Now you can use “take out” to talk about chores, food, borrowing, and dates—with confidence and clarity. It’s a small phrase with big everyday use, heard constantly in homes, restaurants, and friendly plans. Keep listening for it in context, and soon you’ll know exactly which meaning fits. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people handle daily life. Keep going—you’ve got this!