English Reference
Idiom idiom

speak out


To assert or promote one's opinion; to make one's thoughts known.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

It is important to speak out when you see something wrong.

CONTEXTUAL

The employees decided to speak out against the new office policy during the weekly meeting.

COMPLEX

Despite the risk of professional retaliation, she felt a moral obligation to speak out against the corruption she witnessed within the organization.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    speak for

    To claim, reserve, or occupy.

  2. 02

    speak for oneself

    Expressing disagreement with an opinion expressed by another.

  3. 03

    speak in circles

    Synonym of talk in circles.

  4. 04

    speak of the devil

    An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.

  5. 05

    speak of the devil and he appears

    Synonym of speak of the devil.

  6. 06

    speak of the devil and he shall appear

    Alternative form of speak of the devil.

  7. 07

    speak one's mind

    To state one's thoughts or opinions honestly or frankly.

  8. 08

    speak someone's language

    To speak about concerns, feelings, ideas, etc. which someone understands well and can relate to intimately.

Last updated August 10, 2026