deal out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deal out" is correct and usable in written English.
You use this phrase to mean to divide something among people or to distribute something. Example sentence: The teacher dealt out the pencils among the students.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shuffle and deal out the red cards.

WikiHow

It's a tough deal out there.

The New York Times

A There's one more deal out there.

The New York Times

Overall, this project took a great deal out of me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"This is the real deal out here".

The New York Times - Food

We're making a big deal out of things we shouldn't be making a deal out of.

The New Yorker

I didn't make a big deal out of it.

The New York Times

"Why are you making a big deal out of this?

The New York Times

Goldman whipped the deal out the door in July 2008.

The New York Times

"They have to make a big deal out of it".

The New York Times

Why make a big deal out of nothing?

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deal out" in the context of playing cards, ensure the surrounding text clearly indicates a card game or similar activity to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The dealer will now "deal out" five cards to each player."

Common error

Avoid using "deal out" when a more general term like "distribute" is more appropriate. "Deal out" often implies a specific, often random, allocation, such as in card games or lotteries. Do not use "deal out" when you simply mean to generally give things to people.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "deal out" functions primarily as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the act of distributing or allocating something, often in a systematic or random manner. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33.33%

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "deal out" is a grammatically sound way to express the action of distributing items or responsibilities, most often in a game context or specific scenario. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while "deal out" is correct and usable, its usage is relatively infrequent. When writing, consider whether a more general term like "distribute" or a more specific term like "allocate" might be a better fit depending on the context. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "deal out" and similar phrases to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distribute

A more general term for giving something out.

allocate

Implies a more formal or planned distribution.

hand out

Suggests a casual or informal distribution.

dispense

Often used when distributing something in fixed portions.

mete out

Implies a measured or deserved distribution, often of punishment.

allot

Suggests assigning portions or shares to specific recipients.

give away

Indicates distributing something for free.

portion out

Highlights dividing something into specific quantities.

divvy up

An informal way to say divide and distribute.

share

To allow others to have a portion of something.

FAQs

How can I use "deal out" in a sentence?

You can use "deal out" to describe the act of distributing cards in a game, as in "The dealer will "deal out" five cards to each player". It can also mean distributing something in general, although this is less common.

What can I say instead of "deal out"?

Alternatives include "distribute", "hand out", or "allocate", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "deal out" responsibilities?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and clearer to use phrases like "assign responsibilities" or "delegate responsibilities". "Deal out" implies a more random distribution, which might not be appropriate for responsibilities.

What's the difference between "deal out" and "hand out"?

"Deal out" often implies a more formal or structured distribution, especially in games or specific scenarios, whereas "hand out" suggests a more casual and less structured distribution.