# leak out

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leak-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to escape or become known accidentally — often used for liquids, information, or secrets.

For teachers: to escape from a container or become publicly known unintentionally; typically intransitive but can take a direct object when specifying what is escaping.

## Examples

- The water leaked out of the broken pipe.
- The company tried to keep the merger secret, but details leaked out through an employee.
- The confidential report leaked out months before the official announcement, causing a media frenzy.

## Usage notes

- often used with a direct object to specify what is escaping or being revealed.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'leak' (without 'out') which focuses on the act of escaping, while 'leak out' emphasizes the result or completion of the escape.

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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.