# come out in

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to have spots, a rash, or marks appear on your skin, often because of an allergy or illness.

For teachers: to develop a cutaneous condition, such as a rash or hives, as a physiological reaction to a substance or medical state.

## Examples

- I always come out in a rash if I eat strawberries.
- After using the new laundry detergent, she came out in itchy red spots all over her arms.
- The patient began to come out in hives shortly after the antibiotic was administered, suggesting a severe allergic response.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He came out a rash." but "He came out in a rash." — the preposition 'in' is essential to connect the verb to the skin condition.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a noun describing the skin condition, such as 'a rash', 'spots', or 'hives'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'break out in', which is a near-synonym; 'come out in' is very common in British English when discussing allergies or childhood illnesses like chickenpox.

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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.