English Reference

Phrasal verb

get out

Definition

phrasal verb. To leave a place, like a room or a building. It can also be a strong command telling someone to leave immediately.

phrasal verb. To exit or leave a physical space; also used as an imperative to command someone to depart, often forcefully.

Examples

“Let's get out of here.”

“The fire alarm rang, and everyone had to get out of the building quickly.”

“He knew he had to get out of the city before his past caught up with him, a desperate flight from shadows he himself had cast.”

Examples

simple

“Let's get out of here.”

contextual

“The fire alarm rang, and everyone had to get out of the building quickly.”

complex

“He knew he had to get out of the city before his past caught up with him, a desperate flight from shadows he himself had cast.”

Usage

Often followed by 'of' and a place, or used alone as a command.

Teaching tip

Contrast the intransitive use ('We got out') with the transitive 'get something out' ('I got the book out of my bag'), which means to remove something.

Pitfall

Get out from the car.

Get out of the car.

The correct preposition to use with 'get out' when specifying the place is 'of', not 'from'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

get + out (+ of + object)

Synonyms

leaveexitdepartescape

Antonyms

get inentercome in

Related words

getout

Idioms

01. as all get-out

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference