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outs

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈaʊts// UK //ˈaʊts// outs

n. a state of disagreement or conflict with someone. You use this in the phrase 'at outs' or 'at loggerheads' to show that two people are not getting along.

n. a state of disagreement, variance, or contention. Primarily used in the plural within the idiomatic prepositional phrase 'at outs' to indicate interpersonal conflict.


SIMPLE

The two neighbors are at outs over the shared fence.

CONTEXTUAL

After the heated argument during the board meeting, the CEO and the chairman were at outs for several months.

COMPLEX

Despite their long history of collaboration, the two researchers found themselves at outs regarding the interpretation of the final data set, leading to a split in the publication.

Synonyms
Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form within the fixed idiom 'at outs with'.

Pitfall

They are at out with each other.They are at outs with each other.The word must remain in the plural form 'outs' when used in this idiomatic expression.

Idioms1 entry

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