English Reference

Phrasal verb

move out

Definition

phrasal verb. to leave the house or flat where you live so you can live somewhere else.

phrasal verb. To vacate a place of residence or business permanently. This intransitive verb often takes a prepositional phrase starting with 'of' to indicate the specific location being left.

Examples

“They move out of their old house today.”

“After living with his parents for twenty-five years, Mark finally decided to move out and rent a small studio downtown.”

“The tenants were forced to move out immediately after the building inspector declared the structure's foundation to be fundamentally compromised and unsafe for habitation.”

Examples

simple

“They move out of their old house today.”

contextual

“After living with his parents for twenty-five years, Mark finally decided to move out and rent a small studio downtown.”

complex

“The tenants were forced to move out immediately after the building inspector declared the structure's foundation to be fundamentally compromised and unsafe for habitation.”

Usage

Usually stands alone or is followed by 'of' and the name of the place being left.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'move in' to show the directional logic of the particles; emphasize that 'move out' focuses on the departure from the old location.

Pitfall

I moved out my apartment yesterday.

I moved out of my apartment yesterday.

When mentioning the specific place you are leaving, you must use the preposition 'of' after 'move out'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

out

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

move + out

Synonyms

leavevacatedepartrelocate

Antonyms

move instaysettle

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
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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