out of means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of means" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone lacks the financial resources to do something. Example: "After losing his job, he found himself out of means to support his family."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Childless and a widow since her husband died 16 years ago, she is used to taking care of herself but is running out of means.

The Guardian

She was among millions of homeowners rapidly sliding toward danger for whom the Obama administration had devised an aid program — some already in foreclosure proceedings, others headed that way as they ran out of means to make their payments.

The New York Times

Do not be daunted by the detail - the important message to grasp is that, as the state pension stands, only the wealthiest and most dedicated savers will be able to accumulate enough money in private pensions to lift them out of means testing.

The Guardian - Money

Because the hole that we're still digging out of means that there are still millions of Americans looking for work – often because they've been laid off through no fault of their own.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"In phase" means that they are vibrating together, while "out of phase" means that their vibrations are opposite.

Britannica

They're frustrated by the out-of-touch, mean-spirited debate between candidates.

Huffington Post

On average, the use of longer baseline periods for the negative binomial cusum was associated with decreased variation in the out of control mean, and a higher average out of control mean.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

What will pulling out of Iraq mean for the United States?

The Washington Post

Getting out of Honolulu meant surfing, at least for Harris.

Huffington Post

The performance evaluation of AMD is carried out by means of simulations.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The identification of pigments was carried out by means of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a lack of resources, consider using more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "lacking resources" or "short of funds" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid treating "means" as a singular noun in this context. Saying someone is "out of mean" is grammatically incorrect; instead, use alternatives that correctly convey the intended meaning of lacking resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of means" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to describe a state of lacking resources. However, it's not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of means" is used to indicate a lack of resources, especially financial ones. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not considered standard English and is flagged as potentially incorrect. Although examples exist in various sources like news articles and encyclopedias, it's advisable to use more common and grammatically correct alternatives. Phrases such as "lacking resources" or "short of funds" are better choices to clearly convey the intended meaning. When in doubt, opt for established expressions to avoid confusion and maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having limited means

Focuses on the restricted availability of resources, not just financial.

unable to afford

Directly states the inability to pay for something.

lacking resources

Emphasizes the absence of necessary resources, focusing on the deficiency itself.

short of funds

Specifically highlights the shortage of money or financial resources.

without the financial capacity

Formal way to state a lack of financial ability.

lacking the wherewithal

Emphasizes a lack of necessary resources and skills to achieve something.

strapped for cash

Informal expression indicating a temporary shortage of money.

in a state of financial hardship

Highlights a difficult financial situation, suggesting prolonged challenges.

impoverished

Stronger term implying severe lack of resources and poverty.

destitute

Indicates extreme poverty and a complete lack of resources.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "out of means"?

The phrase "out of means" is not a standard English expression. It's likely intended to convey a lack of resources, particularly financial ones. Consider using more common alternatives such as "lacking resources" or "short of funds".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of means"?

Instead of "out of means", you can use phrases like "lacking resources", "short of funds", "unable to afford", or "having limited means". These alternatives are clearer and more grammatically correct.

Is it correct to say someone is "out of means"?

While the meaning might be understood, "out of means" is not considered standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "lacking resources" or "short of funds" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I use "having limited means" in a sentence?

You can say, "The family is "having limited means" due to job loss." This clearly conveys that they have a restricted amount of resources available.