Phrasal verb
blurt out
Definition
phrasal verb. to say something suddenly without thinking first. You often do this when you are excited, nervous, or can't keep a secret.
phrasal verb. To utter something abruptly and impulsively, often revealing a secret or private thought. The verb is transitive and allows the object to be placed either after the particle or between the verb and 'out'.
Examples
“She often blurts out things she later regrets.”
“She was so excited about the promotion that she blurted out the news before the official announcement.”
“In a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability, the stoic commander blurted out his fears regarding the impending siege.”
Examples
simple
“She often blurts out things she later regrets.”
contextual
“She was so excited about the promotion that she blurted out the news before the official announcement.”
complex
“In a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability, the stoic commander blurted out his fears regarding the impending siege.”
Usage
The object can be a noun phrase or a clause starting with 'that'.
Teaching tip
Contrast this with 'let slip' to show that 'blurt out' is more about the sudden speed of speaking than just the accident of revealing information.
Pitfall
He blurted out it.
He blurted it out.
When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
blurt + out + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/blurt-out