1. Home
2. Idioms
3. find out

find out

---

---

find someone out

 

1. to discover that someone is not at home. We knocked on their door and found them out. Sam found Frank out when he arrived to collect the debt.

2. to discover something surprising or shocking about someone. I don't want them to find me out. We found her out despite her deviousness.

See also: find, out

find something out

to discover facts about someone or something; to learn a fact. I found something out that you might be interested in. We found out that the Smiths are going to sell their house.

See also: find, out

find out

1. Discover through examination or inquiry, as in You can find out his phone number by looking in the book. [Mid-1500]

2. Expose, detect the true nature or character of, especially in an offense. For example, Cheaters risk being found out. [c. 1700]

See also: find, out

find out

v.

1. To ascertain something, as through examination or inquiry: I found out the phone number by looking it up. We found the answer out in the dictionary. I'm not sure of the location of the bus stop, but I'll try to find out.

2. To detect or expose the true nature or character of something or someone: My plan to trick my roommate ended when he found me out. Liars risk being found out.

See also: find, out