The English phrase “take out” has twelve meanings. You can learn phrase expressions that are difficult to guess from the meanings of English words alone. Here is the secret to learning English that can be used globally!

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English Learning video about the phrase “take out”

Meanings of “take out”｜Summary

  1. To carry or move something to a different location
  2. To remove from within a place
  3. To remove someone or something from somewhere; to clear or cleanse from
  4. To put an end to someone’s life; to kill someone (Informal, slang)            
  5. To destroy a critical system
  6. To escort; to give honorable or ceremonious attendance to         
  7. To invite someone out for an event
  8. To produce for oneself. *to obtain
  9. To make a withdrawal from a bank account
  10. To borrow something from a business or institution         
  11. To take something out of one’s paycheck to pay for some benefit.       
  12. To block or neutralize a defensive attacker (Team sports usage)

* Following are definitions and example sentences of the English phrase “take out.”

1st meaning: To carry or move something to a different location

e.g. Can you take out these boxes of books and store them in the garage?            

2nd meaning: To remove from within a place

e.g. Can you take the dog out for a walk?      

3rd meaning: To remove someone or something from somewhere; to clear or cleanse from

e.g.1 Can you take out a few more blankets from the closet? It’s going to get very cold tonight.

e.g.2 Can you make sure that all the straight pins have been taken out of the altered suit?        

e.g.3 Can you take out this ink stain from my white shirt?     

4th meaning: To put an end to someone’s life; to kill someone (Informal, slang)

e.g.1 We need to take out the informant before he testifies.

Note: “Informant” means someone who gives information to someone in authority.

e.g.2 The mob boss ordered his assassin to take out the politician who was investigating the gang’s illegal activities.       

Note: “mob” in this case refers to an organized crime family.           

Note: “assassin” means “One who kills, or attempts to kill, by surprise or secret assault.”          

5th meaning: To destroy a critical system

e.g. The storm took out all the electric power in the neighborhood.  

6th meaning: To escort; to give honorable or ceremonious attendance to           

e.g. May I have the honor of taking you out to our country club’s formal dinner-dance next month?     

7th meaning: To invite someone out for an event

e.g. I’m planning to take my father out to see the Yankee game next week.            

8th meaning: To produce for oneself; to obtain

e.g. He was advised to take out a patent and trade mark for his new product.

9th meaning: To make a withdrawal from a bank account

e.g. I need to go to the ATM and take out some cash for tonight.     

10th meaning: To borrow something from a business or institution   

e.g. With your membership plan you can take out three video games for one week.

11th meaning: To take something out of one’s paycheck to pay for some benefit

e.g. Your union dues will be taken out of your paycheck.      

12th meaning: (Team sports usage) To block or neutralize a defensive attacker

e.g. The offensive guard took out the blitzing linebacker to protect his quarterback.

Another phrase of “take”