heytardy
Log inGet started

get out of — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
get out of
avoid doing something2leave a place or situation3gain benefit from

Meaning 1 · most common

avoid doing something

  • get out of sth
  • informal
A man slips out of the kitchen pretending to take a phone call while his partner, at the sink, eyes the stack of dirty plates.

to manage not to do something you should do, often by making excuses or finding a way around it.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

He always tries to get out of doing the dishes after dinner.

A: Are you coming to the meeting?
B: I wish, but I can't get out of babysitting my little brother tonight.

Common mistake

Not: She got out of to do the washing up.

Say: She got out of doing the washing up.

'Get out of' takes '-ing' or a noun, not a to-infinitive.

More on “avoid doing something”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Some people try to get out of their responsibilities at work, but I believe it's important to do your part.

Tell it apart

He always gets out of doing the dishes.

  • avoids the chore

He got out of the car.

  • left the vehicle

Goes with

  • get out of + duty
Practice saying this
Next meaning: leave a place or situation

Meaning 2

leave a place or situation

  • get out of sth

to leave a place, vehicle, or a difficult situation.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We need to get out of the building quickly in case of fire.

A: How did you get here so fast?
B: Traffic was terrible, but I finally got out of the taxi and walked the last block.

Common mistake

Not: Let's get out from this place.

Say: Let's get out of this place.

It's 'get out OF' somewhere — not 'out from'.

More on “leave a place or situation”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I could get out of my hometown for a while, I think I would learn a lot from traveling.

Tell it apart

Let's get out of the house for a bit.

  • leave it

Let's get out of cooking tonight.

  • avoid having to do it

Goes with

  • get out of + place
Practice saying this
Next meaning: gain benefit from

Meaning 3

gain benefit from

  • get out of sth

to receive value, benefit, or learning from an experience, situation, or activity, often unexpectedly or despite initial reluctance.

How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I got a lot out of the leadership workshop last weekend.

A: Was the conference worth attending?
B: Absolutely, I got so much out of the keynote sessions.

Common mistake

Not: What did you get out from the course?

Say: What did you get out of the course?

It's 'get X out OF something' — not 'out from'.

More on “gain benefit from”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many students report that they get more out of group projects than from traditional lectures, as collaboration enhances their understanding.

Tell it apart

I got a lot out of the trip.

  • benefited from it

I got out of the trip somehow.

  • avoided going

Goes with

  • get + benefit + out of
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick a meaning and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

avoid doing somethingleave a place or situationgain benefit from