find out
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle out
Meanings
Discover information by inquiry, study or chance
Neutral and common everywhere. In formal writing you can also use discover.
Why “out”? Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
“At the shopping centre cafe, Leo found out that the shoe shop opened at ten.”
“Maya found out that the clinic closed early that afternoon.”
“Maya and Leo found out their club booking was for Friday.”
“I want to find out the truth.”
“Find out who made the call.”
“We're trying to find out the cause.”
“Maya found out that the office presentation file would not open.”
Catch someone doing something dishonest
“He was found out by his boss.”
“The cheat was found out.”
Learn about something by experiencing it
“You'll find out what it's like soon.”
“I found out how hard the job was on my first day.”
Memory hook
Hidden facts come out into the open when you find out.
Common mistake
I need to find out it.
I need to find out. / I need to find out what happened.
Find out is usually followed by information or a clause, not a single pronoun.
Natural collocations
The word partners “find out” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Test yourself
“At the shopping centre cafe, Leo found out that the shoe shop opened at ten.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bear out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Provide evidence that confirms what someone has said
break out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
(of war, fire or disease) Start suddenly; Escape from a locked or guarded place
bring out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Make a quality or feature more obvious; Publish or launch a new product; Cause a particular response or behaviour in someone; Take something out of a container or place to show it; Encourage a shy person to be more confident
call out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Shout something loudly or summon services
check out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
come out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Be revealed publicly
dig out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Find something by searching through other things
do out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Decorate or furnish a room in a particular style
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