# be out

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/be-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to be away from your home or office for a short time.

For teachers: to be absent from a specific location, typically one's home or place of work, for a temporary period.

## Examples

- I'm sorry, the manager is out for lunch.
- I called her house earlier but her mother said she would be out until six.
- The director will be out for the remainder of the week attending a conference, so please direct all urgent inquiries to his assistant.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is out to the shop." but "He is out at the shop." — use 'at' or 'in' for the location while being out; 'to' implies the movement which 'be out' does not cover.

## Usage notes

- often followed by a time expression or a reason for the absence.
- Teaching tip: this is a stative phrasal verb using 'be'; contrast with 'go out' which focuses on the movement or the social activity itself.

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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.