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get out of

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get out of (doing) something

to manage not to have to do something. I was supposed to go to a wedding, but I got out of it. Jane had an appointment, but she got out of it.

See also: get, of, out

get someone or something out of someone or something

 and get someone or something out

to release or extricate someone or something from someone, something, or some place. See if you can get the cat out of this cabinet. I can't get the nail out of the board. I can get out almost anything with my pry bar.

See also: get, of, out

get something out of someone

to cause or force someone to give specific information. We will get the truth out of her yet. The detective couldn't get anything out of the suspect. They got a confession out of him by beating him.

See also: get, of, out

get something out of something

to get some kind of benefit from something. I didn't get anything out of the lecture. I'm always able to get something helpful out of our conversations.

See also: get, of, out

get out of something/doing something

to find a way to avoid something that you should do If I can get out of going to the meeting tonight, I will. She has play practice this evening, and there's no way she can get out of it.

See also: get, of, out

get something out of somebody

to cause someone to provide information If you don't tell me what happened I'll just get it out of your sister. It was not easy to get the truth out of her.

See also: get, of, out

get something out of something/doing something

to experience something as a result of an activity What did you get out of reading this book? We get a lot of pleasure out of travel.

See also: get, of, out

get out of

1. Emerge or escape from, as in I hate to get out of bed on cold mornings or He'll be lucky to get out of this mess. [First half of 1500s] Also see get out, def. 1.

2. Go beyond, as in The cat had climbed into the tree; she'd gotten well out of my reach. [First half of 1600s] Also see out of control; out of sight.

3. Evade or avoid, as in He tried to get out of answering their questions, or Please get out of the way so we can pass. [Late 1800s] Also see out of the way.

4. Elicit or draw out something from someone. For example, I can't get a straight answer out of him, or Getting a contribution out of her is like pulling teeth. [First half of 1600s]

5. Get rid of something, remove, as in Get these cats out of the house, or I can't get this melody out of my head. Also see out of one's system.

6. Extract from, obtain from. For example, You can get a lot of juice out of these oranges, or She got little or nothing out of this investment. It is also put as get the most out of, meaning "use to the greatest advantage," as in He gets the most out of his staff. [Second half of 1600s] Also see get a bang out of; get a rise out of; get mileage out of.

See also: get, of, out