# light out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to leave a place quickly, often because of fear or urgency.

For teachers: to depart hastily or flee from a location; typically used in informal contexts and often followed by 'of' to indicate the place being left.

## Examples

- He decided to light out of the room when he saw the police.
- The crowd lighted out of the burning building as soon as the alarm sounded.
- Faced with the sudden threat, the group had no choice but to light out of the village before dawn.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I lighted out the house" but "I lighted out of the house" — the preposition 'of' is required to indicate the place being left.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by 'of' to specify the place being left.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'run away' (more general) and 'flee' (more formal); 'light out' implies urgency or fear.

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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.