English Grammar
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES with 'OUT'
Set phrases or groups of words introduced by the preposition 'out'.
Prepositional phrases are set phrases or groups of words introduced by a preposition.
Below are some examples of commonly-used propositional phrases with 'OUT', with their meaning and a sentence showing how they are used.
| Prepositional phrase | Meaning | Example |
| Out of bounds | Beyond the limits. A prohibited area. |
Paul sent the ball out of bounds. The ballroom is out of bounds. |
| Out of breath | To breathe with difficulty. | Julia ran all the way home and arrived out of breath. |
| Out of character | Not typical of a person; unusual behaviour. | Andy is acting out of character today. |
| Out of control | Unmanageable | The children were totally out of control. |
| Out of danger | No longer at risk. | The patient is out of danger now. |
| Out of hand | Uncontrollable. | We must deal with the situation before it gets out of hand. |
| Out of luck | Unlucky; unfortunate. | You’re out of luck today. We don't have any left. |
| Out of necessity | Because it's necessary. | Alex has two jobs out of necessity. |
| Out of order | Does not work. | The phone is out of order. |
| Out of the question | Inconceivable; cannot be envisaged. | Private medical care is out of the question. |
| Out of place | Inappropriate. | Jeans are out of place at a formal dinner. |
| Out of practice | Have not been exercising a skill. | I can’t play the piano any more. I’m out of practice. |
| Out of print | No longer available from publisher | I’m afraid the book is out of print. |
| Out of reach | Too high to reach. | The jug was out of reach on the top shelf. |
| Out of season | No longer in season. | Strawberries are out of season now. |
| Out of sight | No longer visible. | She waved until he was out of sight. |
| Out of sorts | Feeling unwell or upset. | Paula looks out of sorts today. |
| Out of touch | Not aware of events; not in contact. | I’ve been travelling for six months so I’m completely out of touch with everything. |
| Out of tune | Not the right notes. | It’s awful. She’s singing out of tune. |
| Out of turn | Not in the correct order. | Please wait. Don’t speak out of turn. |
| Out of work | Not have a job. | Many people are out of work in this area. |
More Prepositional Phrases:
See also: Prepositions
Try these online exercises: at-on-in at-for-from-in into-onto-off-over-up