order out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "order out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You use it when referencing ordering food from a restaurant for delivery. For example, "After a long day of work, I decided to order out for pizza."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(On the fifth day, they order out).

The New York Times

Don't order out for sushi during a rain delay.

The Washington Post

Because there were no kitchens in Cheops's original pyramid, they order out a lot.

The New Yorker

"I try to treat my lady — not order out so much," he said.

The New York Times

Make the money order out to "Treasurer, State of CT" if requesting a state copy.

WikiHow

"You're creating order out of chaos".

The New Yorker

"Of some other order out there".

The Guardian - Books

Is this the desire to create order out of chaos?

The New Yorker

There's a court order out there; we have to comply".

The New York Times

Because it's like finding order out of chaos".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He also refused to order out-of-state voting centers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "order out", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to ordering food for delivery or takeout. For instance, "Let's order out pizza tonight" is clearer than just saying "Let's order out".

Common error

Avoid using "order out" when you mean to order something unrelated to food or delivery. For example, instead of "order out a new set of office supplies", use "order a new set of office supplies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order out" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it refers to the action of contacting a service to request delivery, commonly used for food.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "order out" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb referring to the act of ordering food for delivery or takeout. While not exceedingly common, with Ludwig identifying it as "Uncommon", it's widely understood and used in various contexts, mainly within news and media, according to Ludwig. Consider alternatives like "get takeout" or "have food delivered" for slight variations in meaning or emphasis. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying the type of order or delivery when possible. Overall, it's a useful and practical phrase to describe obtaining food from a restaurant without dining in.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get takeout

This alternative refers to obtaining food from a restaurant to eat elsewhere, similar to "order out".

buy takeaway

Primarily used in British English, this phrase also means purchasing food from a restaurant to consume off-premises.

arrange delivery

This focuses on the act of setting up a food delivery service, implying convenience and ease.

have food delivered

This clearly states the action of receiving a food order at a specific location.

call for delivery

This emphasizes the action of contacting a restaurant to request a delivery service.

get food to go

Similar to "get takeout", this option highlights the convenience of eating elsewhere.

request a delivery

This focuses on making a formal request for food to be delivered.

phone in an order

This suggests making an order over the phone, typically for pickup or delivery.

place a delivery order

This is a more formal way of saying "order out", stressing the placement of an order for delivery.

have food brought in

This option suggests bringing food from an external source to a location.

FAQs

What does it mean to "order out"?

To "order out" means to order food from a restaurant to be delivered to you or to pick it up and eat it elsewhere.

What can I say instead of "order out"?

You can use alternatives like "get takeout", "buy takeaway", or "have food delivered" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "order in" instead of "order out"?

"Order in" and "order out" have opposite meanings. "Order in" means ordering food at a restaurant, while "order out" means ordering food for delivery or takeout.

How do I use "order out" in a sentence?

You can use "order out" in a sentence like this: "We were too tired to cook, so we decided to order out for dinner".