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go out — 3 meanings

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

phrasal verb3 meanings
go out
leave home sociallystop burning or workinghave a romantic relationship

Meaning 1 · most common

leave home socially

  • go out with sb/for sth
A scene showing “go out” meaning “leave home to have fun”.

To leave your home, especially to meet people or enjoy yourself.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I usually go out with my friends on Friday nights.

A: Are you doing anything tonight?
B: Yeah, I'm going out for dinner with my sister.

Common mistake

Not: We went outside for dinner last night.

Say: We went out for dinner last night.

'Go out' (socialise) isn't 'go outside' (step into the open air).

More on “leave home socially”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Personally, I don't go out very often during the week because I have a lot of homework, but I like to meet my friends at the weekend.

Tell it apart

Let's go out for dinner.

  • leave home socially

The lights went out.

  • stopped working

Goes with

  • go out + for/-ing
Practice saying this
Next meaning: stop burning or working

Meaning 2

stop burning or working

A scene showing “go out” meaning “stop burning or shining”.

To stop burning, shining, or working, especially for lights or fires.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The candle went out because of the wind.

A: Why is it so dark in here?
B: The lights went out during the storm.

Common mistake

Not: The candle went off.

Say: The candle went out.

For flames or lights stopping, use 'go out' (not 'go off', which is for alarms and explosions).

More on “stop burning or working”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the interview, the power went out for a few minutes, which made everyone a bit nervous.

Tell it apart

The lights went out.

  • stopped working

We went out for dinner.

  • left home socially

Goes with

  • go out
Practice saying this
Next meaning: have a romantic relationship

Meaning 3

have a romantic relationship

  • go out with sb
A scene showing “go out” meaning “be in a romantic relationship”.

To be in a romantic relationship with someone; to date someone regularly.

How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I heard that Anna and Mark are going out now.

A: Are you and Jamie just friends?
B: No, we're actually going out.

Common mistake

Not: She's going out her boyfriend.

Say: She's going out with her boyfriend.

'Go out WITH someone' — don't drop 'with'.

More on “have a romantic relationship”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many young people start going out with someone in their late teens, which can be an important part of their social development.

Tell it apart

They've been going out for months.

  • dating

They went out for a meal.

  • a single social outing

Goes with

  • go out with
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leave home sociallystop burning or workinghave a romantic relationship