English Reference

Phrasal verb

eat out

Definition

phrasal verb. to have a meal at a restaurant instead of at home.

phrasal verb. to consume a meal in a commercial establishment rather than in a domestic setting; intransitive phrasal verb.

Examples

“We like to eat out on Friday nights.”

“Since they were both too tired to cook after work, they decided to eat out at the new Italian place.”

“The rising cost of living has forced many families to reduce how often they eat out, leading to a decline in local restaurant revenue.”

Examples

simple

“We like to eat out on Friday nights.”

contextual

“Since they were both too tired to cook after work, they decided to eat out at the new Italian place.”

complex

“The rising cost of living has forced many families to reduce how often they eat out, leading to a decline in local restaurant revenue.”

Usage

this is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'eat in' (to stay home) or 'take out' (to buy food and bring it home); it is one of the earliest phrasal verbs learners encounter.

Pitfall

We ate out a pizza last night.

We ate a pizza out last night (or) We went out for a pizza.

'eat out' is intransitive and cannot be followed by the food item as a direct object.

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

eat + out

Synonyms

dine outgo out for dinnervisit a restaurant

Antonyms

eat incook at home

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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