bail out

USAGE SUMMARY

"bail out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone or something leaving a situation or providing help to another person or thing in a difficult situation. For example, "The economy was in a tough place, but the government's bail out plan helped bring it back to stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

You bail out the banks.

The New York Times

I don't bail out".

The New York Times - Sports

We should bail out the people".

The New York Times

We shouldn't bail out the banks.

The New York Times

Would they bail out their troubled neighbors?

The New York Times

You bail out the weak European governments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Take Sweden's bank bail-out.

The Economist

But a bail-out looks likely.

The Economist

And a multibillion-dollar bail-out.

The Economist

See articleUBS also got a bail-out.

The Economist

It did not need a bail-out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bail out" in financial contexts, be specific about who is providing the assistance and who or what is being rescued. For example, "The government decided to "bail out" the failing bank."

Common error

Avoid using "bail out" when a situation requires long-term solutions rather than immediate, temporary relief. "Bailing out" a company repeatedly without addressing underlying issues is not a sustainable strategy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bail out" is as a phrasal verb. It is typically used transitively, requiring an object (e.g., "bail out the banks"). Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bail out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies rescuing someone or something from a difficult situation, frequently involving financial assistance or a quick departure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, exhibiting a neutral register. When using "bail out", ensure the context clearly indicates who is providing the rescue and what is being saved. Alternatives such as "rescue", "extricate", and "withdraw" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rescue

Focuses on saving someone or something from a dangerous situation.

pull out

Indicates a strategic removal from a situation or investment.

extricate

Implies freeing someone or something from a constraint or difficulty.

lend support

Emphasizes the act of providing backing or encouragement.

salvage

Suggests recovering something of value from a loss or disaster.

back out

Suggests retracting from a commitment or agreement.

withdraw

Highlights the act of pulling back or retreating from a situation.

provide assistance

Highlights the act of offering help or support.

disengage

Emphasizes the act of separating oneself from an involvement or commitment.

give a hand

Informal way to offer help.

FAQs

How is "bail out" used in a sentence?

The phrase "bail out" can be used in various contexts. For example, "The government had to "bail out" the banks to prevent a financial collapse", or, in a less formal context, "I had to "bail out" of the meeting because I wasn't feeling well".

What are some alternatives to "bail out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rescue", "extricate", or "salvage" when referring to saving something. If you mean leaving a situation, you could say "withdraw" or "back out".

What does it mean to "bail out" someone financially?

To "bail out" someone financially means to provide them with financial assistance to help them overcome a financial crisis or difficulty. This often involves providing funds or resources to prevent bankruptcy or collapse.

Is it correct to say "bale out" instead of "bail out"?

No, the correct spelling is "bail out". "Bale out" is a less common variant and may be considered an error. It is better to use the established spelling "bail out".