Particle guide
Phrasal verbs with out
The particle out starts from one core idea — outward motion. Sink In groups its verbs by the recurring ways that idea plays out, so verbs that look unrelated line up into patterns.
173 phrasal verbs · 18 meaning groups
Take the out quizDeparture
Movement goes from inside to outside.
Usual verb + particle uses
The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.
head out
Begin travelling toward somewhere
“Maya and Leo headed out from the shopping centre cafe after they finished their shopping plan.”
“Leo headed out for work after breakfast.”
“They headed out toward the coast.”
“Maya and Leo headed out to the train station with their weekend bags.”
let out
Allow someone or something to leave
“Let the cat out, please.”
“Let the guests out through the side gate.”
move out
Leave a residence
“My roommate moved out last week.”
“Our neighbours moved out when their baby was born.”
push out
Force someone to leave a position or place
“They pushed him out of the company.”
“The board pushed out the founder.”
shoot out
Leave an enclosed place very quickly
“The rabbit shot out of the bush.”
“The cyclist shot out of the gate.”
sleep out
Sleep outside or away from your home
“They slept out under the stars.”
“The hikers slept out in the field.”
slip out
Leave a place quietly without being noticed
“She slipped out of the meeting.”
“He slipped out before breakfast.”
step out
Leave a room or place for a short time
“Leo stepped out of the office to buy lunch.”
“She stepped out to take a phone call.”
“The manager stepped out of the office.”
“Maya stepped out of the seaside hotel for a short walk.”
storm out
Leave angrily
“He stormed out of the room.”
“She stormed out after the vote.”
swing out
Move or open by turning on a hinge or pivot
“The door swung out into the corridor.”
“The gate swung out toward the road.”
walk out
Leave on foot, often abruptly
“She walked out of the meeting.”
“The actor walked out during rehearsal.”
Withdrawal
Someone leaves a plan, group, promise, or activity they were part of.
Distribution
Something is sent, shared, or made available from one source to many people or places.
Expansion
Something spreads, grows, or extends beyond its first size, shape, or path.
Exhaustion
Something is used until nothing is left. Energy, supply, fire, and time all reach zero.
Losing Awareness
Awareness is like a lamp. For a time the light is gone: a person faints, or attention and memory fade.
Missed Chances
A good chance passes and leaves without you. Other people get it, but you do not.
Becoming Clear
Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
Assistance
Someone receives help with a difficult situation.
Contact
A person or group makes contact to offer or ask for help.
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice the out patterns in Sink In
The app turns each meaning group into short review cards: recognition, particle cloze, meaning-to-particle recall, and schema matching.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
