Phrasal verb
stay out
Definition
phrasal verb. to remain away from home, especially late at night.
phrasal verb. to remain outdoors or away from one's residence, typically during the evening or night. The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Examples
“My parents let me stay out until midnight on weekends.”
“If you stay out too late, you might miss the last bus home.”
“The revelers chose to stay out until the first light of dawn began to illuminate the city streets.”
Examples
simple
“My parents let me stay out until midnight on weekends.”
contextual
“If you stay out too late, you might miss the last bus home.”
complex
“The revelers chose to stay out until the first light of dawn began to illuminate the city streets.”
Usage
often followed by a time expression or an adverb like 'late'.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'stay in' (to remain at home) to show how the particle changes the spatial focus of the verb.
Pitfall
I stayed out the house all night.
I stayed out all night.
the phrase is intransitive; you cannot put the place directly after 'stay out' without another preposition like 'of'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
stay + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- 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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