# farm out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/farm-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To subcontract (a task, responsibility, etc.) to another; to outsource.

## Examples

- We farm out our accounting work to a local firm.
- The company decided to farm out its customer service tasks to an agency in another country to save money.
- Rather than managing the complex logistics internally, the corporation chose to farm out the entire distribution process to a specialized third-party provider.

## Origin

From the verb *farm*, in the sense of to cleanse or clean, plus *out*. The term originates from the practice of clearing or cleaning something by removal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.