Get Out of – Meaning and Examples
You promised to help a friend move this weekend—but now you have a headache and really don’t want to go. You might say, “I need to get out of this!” Or maybe you’re stuck in a boring meeting and whisper, “I can’t wait to get out of here.” The phrasal verb get out of is used when you leave a place, avoid a duty, or escape a situation. It’s super common in everyday English—and now you’ll know exactly how to use it.
What Does “Get Out Of” Mean?
“Get out of” usually means to leave a place or avoid a responsibility. It can be physical (“get out of the car”) or about escaping tasks (“get out of homework”). Think of it like slipping away—from a room, a commitment, or even a bad habit. It’s not just “exit”; it often carries a sense of relief or effort.
When to Use It
Use “get out of” in real-life situations like:
- Avoiding duties: “He tried to get out of cleaning his room.”
- Leaving places: “Let’s get out of this rain!”
- Breaking habits: “I’m trying to get out of the habit of checking my phone all day.”
- Escaping events: “She got out of the meeting early.”
It’s informal to neutral—great for speaking with friends, family, or coworkers. Avoid it in formal writing like essays or official letters.
Example Sentences
- I got out of the car as soon as we parked.
- He used a fake excuse to get out of the test.
- Can we get out of here? It’s too loud.
- It’s hard to get out of a bad routine once it starts.
Mini Dialogue
Maya: “You’re not going to the party?”
Liam: “Nope—I finally got out of it. My cousin said I could skip!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don’t drop the “of”: “I need to get out this meeting.” (Wrong!)
✅ Do always include “of”: “I need to get out of this meeting.”
Practice Tip
Practice Tip
Think of one thing you’d like to avoid this week. Say: “I hope I can get out of ___!” (e.g., “that long meeting”).
Final Note
“Get out of” is a handy phrase for real life—whether you’re dodging chores or just leaving a noisy room. Don’t worry about using it perfectly right away. Every time you hear or say it, you’re getting more fluent. Keep going—you’re doing great!
