take out

phrasal verb·4 senses·particle out

Meanings

1

Remove something from inside

Why “out”? Pushing outward to eliminate. What is removed is sent away.

Take out the rubbish on Mondays.
Carry the rubbish out of the house on Mondays.
Take the cake out of the oven.
Remove the cake from inside the oven.
He took the cake out of the oven.
He removed the cake from inside the oven.
2

Invite someone to go somewhere socially

Why “out”? Away from home to eat, meet people, or enjoy free time.

He took her out to a fancy restaurant.
He invited her to go to a fancy restaurant with him.
Maya took Sam out for coffee.
Maya invited Sam to go for coffee with her.
They took us out for drinks after the show.
They invited us out for drinks after the show.
3

Borrow from a library

I took out three books last week.
I borrowed three books from the library last week.
I took out three books from the library for the trip.
I borrowed three books from the library for the trip.
She took out a stack of cookbooks for the holidays.
She borrowed a stack of cookbooks from the library for the holidays.
4

Remove from inside

Take out the rubbish.
Carry the rubbish out of the house.
Take the plates out of the cupboard.
Remove the plates from inside the cupboard.

Don't confuse with

take outtake up

Take out means remove something from inside. Take up means start a new activity.

take outtake off

Take out means remove something from inside. Take off means remove clothing or accessories.

take outtake down

Take out means remove something from inside. Take down means remove something from a higher position.

Test yourself

Take out the rubbish on Mondays. What does it mean?

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