lure out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lure out" is a valid part of written English.
It is used to describe the act of enticing someone out of a hiding place or position by presenting them with a desirable offer. For example: "The mayor used his promise of a job to lure out the fugitive from his hiding spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"A fragile, shy thing that a sensitive director can help lure out of you.

The New Yorker

Mr Clinton's blessing will be crucial if Mr Kerry is to lure out his core supporters blacks, who make up 12.5% of the electorate.

The Economist

On the other hand, attempting to contact ETIs seems to be a relatively low-risk strategy: paranoid ETIs must also consider the possibility that the messages are a deception designed to lure out hostile civilizations and preemptively destroy them.

Acta Astronautica

Obiang, meanwhile, concentrates on polishing his tarnished image; one of the visiting MPs was offered £20,000 to lure out colleagues.

The Guardian

We might start by sifting crap but a couple of passes can lure out real pipe-puffing linen-wearing tennis-playing vigour.

The Guardian - Books

The government hopes that a securities market will lure out some of the dollars and gold that the Vietnamese keep stuffed under mattresses and away from banks.In this section A peek inside the IMF's vaults Investigating investment Meet the riskmongers To the rescue Is there money in misfortune?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

And strawberries lure out-of-state visitors to Connecticut.

The New York Times

WHEN the proprietors of three bed-and-breakfasts in Cape May — the Henry Sawyer Inn, Twin Gables and the Victorian Lace Inn — approached Gayle Stahlhuth, the artistic director of the East Lynne Theater Company there, about staging murder mysteries as a way to lure out-of-town guests this winter, they struck gold.

The New York Times

New York's powers-that-be must take steps to lure out-of-town billionaires.

Forbes

They're also using misleading websites or call centers to lure out-of-state patients who were actually looking for treatment nearby.

HuffPost

While the glitzy Goliaths populating Las Vegas Boulevard lure out-of-towners, this downtown property a mile or so west of the Fremont Street Experience will cater to locals, many of whom say they have yearned for this for decades.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lure out", ensure the object or person being lured has a reason to emerge. A clear incentive makes the phrase more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "lure out" when the subject isn't actively choosing to come out. This phrase implies enticement, not forced extraction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lure out" is a phrasal verb. It describes an action of enticing someone or something to leave a place, typically one of concealment or protection. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

36%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lure out" functions as a phrasal verb used to describe the act of enticing someone or something from a hidden or protected location. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki-based content, the phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. While synonyms like "draw out" and "coax out" exist, "lure out" specifically suggests an active attempt to entice a subject, often for a strategic purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entice out

Focuses specifically on attracting someone through appeal or pleasure.

draw out

Implies a gradual process of bringing something or someone forth.

coax out

Suggests gentle and persistent persuasion.

tempt out

Highlights the allure of something desirable as the means of attraction.

bring out

Focuses on the act of revealing or making something apparent.

extract

Emphasizes effort and precision in removing something hidden.

fish out

Suggests carefully searching for and retrieving something.

smoke out

Implies forcing someone out through uncomfortable or coercive means.

flush out

Conveys a sense of sudden expulsion.

wheedle out

Suggests using flattery or deception to obtain something.

FAQs

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

You can use "lure out" to describe enticing someone or something from a hidden or secure location. For instance, "The police used the suspect's accomplice to "entice out" the main perpetrator from his hideout."

What are some alternatives to "lure out"?

Alternatives to "lure out" include "draw out", "coax out", or "tempt out", each carrying slightly different connotations of persuasion or attraction.

Is "lure out" formal or informal?

"Lure out" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both news reporting and more casual contexts. More formal options could be "extract" or "bring out", depending on the situation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "lure out"?

The phrase "lure out" is suitable in contexts where someone or something is being enticed, not forced, from a concealed or protected area. This could range from tactical maneuvers to "coaxing out" wildlife with bait.