branch out

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle out

Meanings

1

Start doing something new or different

Why “out”? Spreading outward from a centre to many recipients.

She branched out into design.
She started a new career in design.
The cafe branched out into catering.
The cafe started doing a new kind of business: catering.
2

(of a road, river or organisation) split off in a new direction

Distributionuncommon
The path branches out near the lake.
The path splits off into different directions near the lake.
The path branches out after the bridge.
The path splits off into different directions after the bridge.
3

Become independent and start your own venture

Departureuncommon

Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.

She left the firm to branch out alone.
She left the firm to start her own independent venture.
He branched out on his own.
He became independent and started his own work.

Test yourself

She branched out into design. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

Practice “branch out” in Sink In

Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.