# go out

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/go-out
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to leave your home to spend time with other people or enjoy a social activity. You might use this when you go to a party, a restaurant, or a movie.

For teachers: to leave one's home for social purposes or entertainment. This sense is intransitive and often functions as a complete predicate or is followed by a prepositional phrase of purpose.

## Examples

- We usually go out for dinner on Friday nights.
- They rarely go out during the week because they both have to wake up early for work.
- While some prefer the quiet of a library, others feel a constant need to go out and engage with the bustling energy of the city.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We are going out for have dinner." but "We are going out for dinner." — The preposition 'for' must be followed by a noun phrase rather than a base verb.

## Usage notes

- Usually stands alone or is followed by 'for' plus a noun or 'to' plus a verb.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'stay in' to help students understand the social context; it is helpful to mention the 'dating' sense for B1+ students.

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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.