lure him out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lure him out" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase when you are trying to encourage someone in a persuasive, gentle way to leave a place or come out of a hiding spot. For example: "I tried to lure him out from his dark, secret hiding place, but he wouldn't budge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Maybe they could have lots of acorns and peanuts outside the stadium to lure him out," Cantor said.

The New York Times - Sports

He can be found admiring his masterpiece in the centre of Fort Frolic after you complete it for him or in his apartment in Olympus Heights (however, you will have to lure him out by disrupting his dancers either by attacking them, knocking their record player or playing the piano).

WikiHow

His family has tried to lure him out.

The New Yorker

Impulsively, they lure him out of the place for a wild night on the town.

The New York Times

The flavour was exceptional.' With diffculty, I lure him out of his reverie and ask whether marbling ever occurs naturally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unknown individuals have since visited him at home three times, trying to lure him out "for a conversation".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Luring him out are what he calls "the sheer joy" of exploring, and those trillions of ants — organized, implacable, ubiquitous.

The New York Times

As Oversteegen kept watch, Truus lured him out by seductively proposing a walk in the forest, where another resistance fighter shot him dead.

The Guardian

"On the basis of what happened, the purpose of the subpoena was only luring him out," said Erhain Khamis, 43, a rebel military officer who is also an Obeidi tribe member and the brother of one of the general's personal guards who was killed.

The New York Times

I finally lured him out with a stick, but when I tried to grab his collar he ran through a nearby campground and back toward the water.

Los Angeles Times

In August, intimations of the financial crash lured him out of the woods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lure him out", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being used as the lure. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lure him out" when a more forceful or direct action is intended. The phrase implies a gentle or subtle persuasion, not coercion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lure him out" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, requiring a direct object ('him'). It describes the action of enticing someone to leave a place or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lure him out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of enticing someone to leave a place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news and media, where its purpose is to describe strategies of persuasion or enticement. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being used as the lure, and avoid using it when a more forceful action is implied. While alternatives like "entice him out" or "draw him out" exist, "lure him out" maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entice him out

Similar in meaning but implies a stronger element of attraction or charm.

tempt him out

Implies offering something desirable to persuade him to come out.

draw him out

Focuses on the act of pulling someone out, often subtly.

coax him out

Suggests gentle persuasion and flattery.

bait him out

Suggests using something as bait to attract him, often implying deception.

persuade him to leave

A more explicit and direct way of saying the same thing.

convince him to exit

More formal and direct, suggesting reasoned persuasion.

trick him into emerging

Emphasizes deception as the method for getting him to come out.

bring him out

A simpler way of saying to cause him to come out.

force him out

Implies a lack of willing participation of the object to come out.

FAQs

How can I use "lure him out" in a sentence?

You can use "lure him out" to describe the act of enticing someone to leave a place or situation, often using something appealing as bait. For instance, "They used the promise of a reward to "lure him out" of hiding".

What's a good alternative to "lure him out"?

Depending on the context, you might use "entice him out", "draw him out", or "bait him out". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lure him out" formal or informal?

"Lure him out" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in news reporting and general writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "lure him out"?

It would be inappropriate if the action being described involves force or coercion, as "lure" implies a more subtle and persuasive approach. In such cases, words like "force" or "extract" would be more suitable.