vague out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vague out" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey the idea of making something vague or unclear, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The instructions were so poorly written that they seemed to vague out the entire process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They complained that Albee's post-"Woolf" work was vague, out of focus, or confused — variations on themes that should have grown stale for Albee (as they had for his audience).

The New Yorker

On a recent trip to report on the conflict in Darfur, Kristof kept his location vague out of fear of ''the Janjaweed militia tracking me by my tweets and expressing their dissatisfaction with my reporting with their AK-47s,'' as he put it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The one we imagine is a deficit caused by waste, fraud, abuse, foreign aid, oil industry subsidies and vague out-of-control spending.

The New York Times

It is obvious to the audience if you are vagueing out and it is very distracting.

WikiHow

I'll admit that I found elements of it hard, but that's mainly because I'm still a vaguely out-of-shape idiot who hates heights and doesn't realise that trying to breathe underwater is a silly idea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The next items were often vague—"Find out about food stamps," "Library card?"—but the list still gave me a cozy feeling.

The New Yorker

Vague pointed out abdominal fat toxicity to be responsible for severe obesities and serious associated prognosis in adults, in opposition to the gynoid shapes which do not expose to similar hazardous health complications [ 44].

BMC Pediatrics

"I remember, when everybody else started doing it, feeling vaguely put out".

The Guardian

The vocals are dazed and confused, comprising that vague, vacant, out-of-it way of singing peculiar to Ian Brown and his spawn.

The Guardian - Music

However, he immediately faced criticism from Labour and some housing groups for only vaguely spelling out how his targets would be achieved and paid for.

The Guardian

An hour later, my cab pulled up to the Hotel National, and I could only vaguely make out the clock tower of the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral, a few hundred yards away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "vague out" in formal writing. Opt for more established and precise alternatives like "obscure" or "blur" to maintain clarity and credibility.

Common error

Be cautious when creating phrasal verbs by combining adjectives with "out". While some combinations are acceptable, "vague out" is not recognized and can confuse readers. Always verify the validity of phrasal verbs in reputable dictionaries or style guides.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague out" functions as a non-standard phrasal verb, attempting to convey the action of making something unclear or indistinct. Ludwig's analysis shows it is not considered grammatically correct and is rarely used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vague out" is a non-standard expression that attempts to convey the act of making something unclear. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in formal writing. While it appears in a few sources such as The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Guardian, opting for more established alternatives like "obscure", "blur", or "muddle" will enhance clarity and credibility. Remember to use "vague out" carefully, if at all, and be mindful of your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blur out

Similar in conveying a lack of clarity, but implies a visual blurring rather than a general lack of definition.

obscure

Suggests hiding or making something less clear, implying a deliberate action or inherent ambiguity.

muddle

Indicates a state of confusion or disorder, often resulting in a lack of clarity.

fuzz over

Suggests making something less distinct or clear, often unintentionally.

gloss over

Implies covering up or avoiding details to make something seem less problematic.

cloud

Evokes a sense of making something less clear or understandable, like obscuring a view.

muddy

Similar to cloud, but suggests a more significant level of obscurity and confusion.

confuse

To make unclear or difficult to understand. It emphasizes the mental state of the observer rather than the inherent quality of the subject.

obfuscate

To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. It implies an intent to conceal or mislead through confusing language.

equivocate

To use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing to a position.

FAQs

Is "vague out" grammatically correct?

No, "vague out" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's not a recognized or commonly used expression.

What does "vague out" mean?

While not standard, "vague out" seems to imply making something unclear or indistinct. It's better to use established alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "vague out"?

Consider using alternatives such as "obscure", "blur "out"", or "muddle" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "vague out"?

It's generally best to avoid "vague out" in formal writing. In informal contexts, understand that it might not be widely understood.