Phrasal verb
drum out
Definition
phrasal verb. to force someone to leave a group or job because they did something bad. It usually means the person leaves in a shameful way.
phrasal verb. To dismiss someone from an organization or position, typically in disgrace. The verb is transitive and frequently appears in the passive voice, often followed by the preposition 'of'.
Examples
“They drummed him out of the club for cheating.”
“After the news of the bribe broke, the politician was drummed out of office by his own party members.”
“The historical record shows that the captain was drummed out of the navy following a series of disastrous tactical errors that led to the loss of his entire fleet.”
Examples
simple
“They drummed him out of the club for cheating.”
contextual
“After the news of the bribe broke, the politician was drummed out of office by his own party members.”
complex
“The historical record shows that the captain was drummed out of the navy following a series of disastrous tactical errors that led to the loss of his entire fleet.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice to focus on the person being removed.
Teaching tip
Explain the military origin where a soldier was dismissed to the beat of a drum to emphasize the public nature of the dismissal.
Pitfall
He was drummed out the company.
He was drummed out of the company.
The phrase requires the preposition 'of' before the noun phrase representing the organization.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
drum + object + out
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
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