Out with it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Out with it" is correct and usable in written English
It is typically used to prompt someone to reveal or disclose information they are withholding. Example: "You've been acting mysterious all evening. Out with it! What are you hiding?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Informal

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Go out with it.

The New York Times

He just comes right out with it.

The New York Times

They hang out with it".

The New York Times

Then he came out with it.

The New York Times

I wouldn't go out with it natural.

The New York Times - Magazine

And I walked out with it.

The New York Times

"Why? Just come out with it.

The Guardian - Sport

It's worth X, you can walk out with it".

The New Yorker

You could poke someone's eye out with it.

The Guardian

He just came out with it to his mum.

The Guardian

Then, one day, he just came out with it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase in dialogue or informal narrative to capture a sense of urgency or directness.

Common error

While highly effective in storytelling and casual communication, "Out with it" is an idiomatic imperative. In formal reports or academic papers, replace it with more neutral phrasing like "Please disclose the information" or "State the findings clearly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Out with it" functions as an idiomatic imperative interjection. It is used to bypass hesitation and demand immediate verbal disclosure. According to Ludwig, it often appears in contexts where a speaker is observing another person's reluctance to share news or a secret.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

30%

Informal & Creative Writing

15%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Legal & Formal Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Out with it" is a highly effective and grammatically correct idiomatic command used to encourage openness. Ludwig AI reveals that it is most frequently utilized in news reporting and narrative contexts to reflect direct speech. It serves as a powerful tool for writers to convey a sense of urgency or to break a silence. While it is Very common and widely understood, writers should reserve its use for informal or neutral contexts, as its blunt nature may clash with highly formal or professional standards. Using it correctly ensures a natural, conversational flow in any narrative where transparency is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spill the beans

More informal and specifically implies revealing a secret or surprise.

Spit it out

More forceful and potentially impatient, often used when someone is physically struggling to say something.

Come clean

Focuses specifically on confessing to a mistake or a lie.

Level with me

A request for direct and sincere honesty between two parties.

Don't hold back

Encourages the speaker to be fully honest without self-censorship.

Give it to me straight

Asks for the unvarnished truth without sugarcoating.

Tell all

Implies a comprehensive and detailed account of a situation.

Speak up

A broader encouragement to voice an opinion or talk louder.

Let it out

Often used in emotional contexts to encourage someone to express feelings.

Own up

Specifically requests an admission of responsibility for an action.

FAQs

How to use "Out with it" in a sentence?

The phrase is typically used as an imperative command. For example, "You've been acting strangely all morning; "Out with it"! What's wrong?" Ludwig provides numerous examples where it follows a period of hesitation or 'beating around the bush'.

What can I say instead of "Out with it"?

Depending on the level of formality, you can use "spill the beans" for a casual feel, "spit it out" for more urgency or "be direct" for a professional context.

Is "Out with it" considered rude?

It is direct and can be perceived as impatient. In a close relationship, it's often seen as a friendly nudge, but with a stranger or a superior, it might be interpreted as a blunt command. Alternatives like "please explain" are safer in delicate situations.

What is the difference between "Out with it" and "Spit it out"?

Both are imperatives to speak, but "spit it out" often implies the person is physically hesitant or stuttering, while "Out with it" is more about revealing hidden information or a secret.