to bail out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to bail out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is providing financial assistance to help someone or something in distress, or when someone is leaving a difficult situation. Example: "The government decided to bail out the struggling airline to prevent it from going bankrupt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Economics

Finance

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is nothing to bail out".

The New York Times

I don't like to bail out".

The New York Times - Sports

There are plans to bail out automakers.

The New York Times

It is not whether to bail out Greece yet again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Countries felt forced to bail out their banks.

The New York Times

Would they be required to bail out other systemic institutions?

The Economist

It has not had to bail out its banks.

The Economist

The second would be to bail out no one.

The Economist

"We're not going to bail out the European banks".

The New York Times

It's one thing to bail out on the Magic.

The New York Times - Sports

And Turkey did not have to bail out its banks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To provide stronger impact, describe the consequences of not performing the "bail out" action.

Common error

Avoid using "to bail out" loosely. It specifically implies providing significant help to avert a crisis. Don't use it for minor assistance or everyday support.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to bail out" is that of a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts ranging from financial assistance to abandoning difficult situations, reflecting its versatility in modern English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to bail out" is widely used in contemporary English to describe providing assistance, often financial, or abandoning a problematic situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, with frequent appearances in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to use it precisely, reserving it for significant interventions and being clear about who or what is being aided. Alternatives such as "to rescue" or "to assist" can offer nuanced substitutions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to backstop

Referring to provide financial support to prevent collapse or failure

to rescue

Focuses on saving someone from danger or difficulty, often implying immediate action.

to aid

Implies providing help or support to someone in need.

to save

Emphasizes preventing something from being lost or destroyed.

to assist

Suggests offering help or support, often in a more formal or official capacity.

to deliver

Highlights rescuing someone from a problematic situation.

to extricate

Suggests freeing someone from a trap or entanglement.

to underwrite

Highlights the act of assuming financial responsibility, particularly in risky ventures.

to amortize

Implies gradually paying off debt or cost over a period of time

to redeem

Suggests recovering something lost or improving a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "to bail out" in a sentence?

You can use "to bail out" to describe providing financial assistance to a company or country, as in "The government decided "to bail out" the struggling airline." It can also mean leaving a situation, as in "He had "to bail out" of the project due to lack of funding."

What's a less formal way to say "to bail out"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to help out", "to rescue", or "to get someone out of a jam" as less formal alternatives "to bail out".

Is it always about money when we say "to bail out"?

While often used in financial contexts, "to bail out" can also refer to escaping or abandoning a difficult situation. For instance, a pilot might "to bail out" of a damaged aircraft.

What's the difference between "to rescue" and "to bail out"?

"To rescue" generally implies saving someone from immediate danger. "To bail out", while also meaning to save someone, often refers to providing financial assistance or escaping a situation before it gets worse. For instance, you might "to bail out" a company with a loan, or "rescue" someone from a burning building.