# leave out

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to not include someone or something; to omit a part of something.

For teachers: to exclude or omit (a person, thing, or detail) from a group, list, or text; transitive phrasal verb with separable particles.

## Examples

- Don't leave out the important details.
- The teacher asked the students not to leave out any steps in the experiment.
- The editor decided to leave out the controversial paragraph to maintain the book's neutrality.

## Usage notes

- takes a direct object — the thing or person being excluded.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'exclude' (more formal) and 'omit' (more academic); 'leave out' is separable, allowing both 'leave the details out' and 'leave out the details'.

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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.