stick out — 3 meanings

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

phrasal verb3 meanings

stick out

1to be very noticeable 2to extend outward 3persist despite difficulty

Meaning 1 · most common

to be very noticeable

stick out from/among sth

To be easy to see or recognize because of being different or unusual.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Her bright red coat really stuck out in the crowd.

A: Did you notice Tom at the meeting?
B: Yeah, he stuck out because he was the only one wearing jeans.

Common mistake

Not: I felt I ~~sticked~~ out at the party.

Say: I felt I stuck out at the party.

Irregular past — 'stuck out', not 'sticked out'.

More on “to be very noticeable”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, what makes a good teacher stick out is their ability to connect with students.

Tell it apart

A tourist sticks out here.

is very noticeable

A nail is sticking out.

protruding — sense 2

Goes with

stick out + visibility

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Next meaning: to extend outward

Meaning 2

to extend outward

stick out of/from sth

To come out beyond the surface or edge of something.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

There was a nail sticking out of the wall.

A: Why won’t this drawer close?
B: Something’s sticking out at the back.

Common mistake

Not: Don't stick ~~out~~ your head ~~from~~ the window.

Say: Don't stick your head out of the window.

With a body part, the object goes in the middle: 'stick your head out'.

More on “to extend outward”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I broke my arm, the bone was actually sticking out, which was really scary.

Tell it apart

His ears stick out.

project outward

His talent sticks out.

is noticeable — sense 1

Goes with

stick out + body/object

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Next meaning: persist despite difficulty

Meaning 3

persist despite difficulty

stick out sth

To continue to endure or tolerate something challenging or unpleasant until it is finished, especially when it would be easier to quit.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

She decided to stick out the final year of her contract, even though the job was extremely demanding.

A: This project is exhausting. I’m not sure I can keep going.
B: I know it’s tough, but if you stick it out, you’ll be glad you did.

Common mistake

Not: I'll stick ~~out it.~~

Say: I'll stick it out.

The object 'it' goes in the middle: 'stick it out'.

More on “persist despite difficulty”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Although the internship was challenging, I chose to stick it out because I knew the experience would benefit my future career.

Tell it apart

I stuck it out till the end.

endured to the finish

I gave up halfway.

quit

Goes with

stick it out

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to be very noticeable to extend outward persist despite difficulty