English Reference

Phrasal verb

flush out

Definition

phrasal verb. to force a person or animal to leave a hiding place. You use this when you want to find something that is trying to stay hidden.

phrasal verb. to force a person or animal out of a place of concealment. Transitive; the object can be placed between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

Examples

“The police used dogs to flush out the suspect from the basement.”

“The investigators hope that the new reward will flush out witnesses who have been hiding information from the police.”

“The military operation aimed to flush out insurgent groups from the mountain caves where they had been hiding for months.”

Examples

simple

“The police used dogs to flush out the suspect from the basement.”

contextual

“The investigators hope that the new reward will flush out witnesses who have been hiding information from the police.”

complex

“The military operation aimed to flush out insurgent groups from the mountain caves where they had been hiding for months.”

Usage

Usually followed by a person, animal, or hidden truth as the object.

Teaching tip

Help students distinguish this from 'flesh out', which means to add more details to an idea or plan.

Pitfall

We need to flush out the details of the project.

We need to flesh out the details of the project.

Learners frequently confuse 'flush out' with 'flesh out', which means to add substance or detail.

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

optional

Pattern

flush + out + object

Synonyms

force outdrive outuncoverexpose

Antonyms

hideconceal

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.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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English Reference