tease out

USAGE SUMMARY

"tease out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the process of discovering or extracting something, often through careful questioning or careful analysis of evidence. For example, "The detective was able to tease out the truth from the suspect's testimony."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we tease out answers.

The Guardian - Books

Auctions are increasingly used to tease out the best price.

The Economist

It did, however, tease out a fair few wry smiles.

The Guardian - Books

We're wasting our time, trying to tease out a connection where there is none.

Independent

In any case, my job is to tease out that meaning, that authorial impetus.

The New Yorker

It's always fun to tease out the Nobel Literature committee's picks.

The New Yorker

One could, if pressed, tease out a few hints of particularity in Big Russ.

The New Yorker

Use a pencil to help tease out the tip of the triangle into a sharp point.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Crockett doesn't tease out societal or political trends to spell our doom.

The New York Times - Books

I may try and tease out what it might mean in a subsequent post.

The Economist

Neither can experiment directly tease out such a cause.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tease out" when you want to emphasize a delicate or careful extraction of information or meaning, often from something complex or obscured.

Common error

Avoid using "tease out" excessively in your writing. While it's a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "extract", "elicit", or "uncover" to add variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "tease out" primarily functions to describe the act of carefully extracting or discovering information, details, or meaning from something complex or obscured. Ludwig showcases its use across various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "tease out" is a versatile expression used to describe the careful extraction of information or meaning from something complex. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. With its frequency across academic, scientific, and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse audiences. When employing "tease out", remember to emphasize the delicate and meticulous nature of the extraction process, and consider synonyms such as "extract", "elicit", or "uncover" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extract

Focuses on the action of pulling something out, often with effort.

elicit

Highlights the act of drawing out a response or information from someone.

uncover

Emphasizes revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

distill

Suggests refining something to its essential elements.

ascertain

Implies discovering something with certainty through investigation.

deduce

Focuses on reaching a conclusion through reasoning and analysis.

draw out

Highlights the process of coaxing information or feelings from someone.

ferret out

Emphasizes a diligent and persistent search to find something hidden.

bring to light

Focuses on making something known or visible.

get to the bottom of

Suggests a thorough investigation to find the root cause of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "tease out" to describe the process of extracting information or details from something complex. For example, "The researcher tried to tease out the key factors contributing to the disease." or "It takes time to "tease out" the truth."

What can I say instead of "tease out"?

You can use alternatives like "extract", "elicit", or "uncover" depending on the context. Each of these alternatives conveys a slightly different nuance of discovering or revealing information.

What's the difference between "tease out" and "figure out"?

"Tease out" implies a careful and often delicate process of extracting information from something complex, while "figure out" suggests solving a problem or understanding something through reasoning or analysis. "Tease out" often involves extracting something already present but obscured, while "figure out" involves creating understanding.

Is "tease out" formal or informal?

"Tease out" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it appears frequently in academic and scientific writing, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is also common in news media and general discourse, making it versatile for various writing styles.