was out for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was out for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was absent or unavailable for a specific period of time, often due to illness or other reasons. Example: "She was out for a week due to a severe cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was out for blood.

Independent

The jury was out for fifty minutes.

The New Yorker

Many suggested he was out for money.

Independent

He was out for a duck.

The Economist

He was out for the year.

The New York Times

He was out for three hours".

The New Yorker

I was out for five minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was out for a few seconds".

The New York Times

"Everyone was out for each other.

The Guardian - Sport

He was out for the season.

The New York Times - Health

He was out for almost a year.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was out for" to clearly indicate someone's intention or the reason for their actions. For example, "The lawyer was out for justice" clearly conveys the lawyer's goal.

Common error

Avoid using "was out for" when a more precise verb would better describe the action. For instance, instead of "He was out for a walk", say "He went for a walk" for clarity and better style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was out for" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating either a period of absence due to a specific reason (e.g., "He was out for the season") or a purpose/intention for an action (e.g., "She was out for blood"). The examples in Ludwig illustrate these dual functions clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was out for" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express either temporary absence or clear intent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. When indicating absence, alternatives like "was absent due to" may offer greater precision. When indicating intent, phrases like "was pursuing" or "was seeking" provide nuanced alternatives. It's important to select the phrasing that most accurately reflects the intended meaning, avoiding ambiguity. Keep in mind the expression is considered to have a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was absent due to

Focuses specifically on absence and its cause, differing from intention or purpose.

was unavailable because of

Specifically denotes unavailability and its cause, focusing less on intention.

was pursuing

Emphasizes the act of chasing or striving for something, shifting from absence to active pursuit.

was seeking

Emphasizes the act of searching for something, either literally or figuratively.

was motivated by

Highlights the underlying reasons or incentives driving an action, differing from simple intention.

was driven by

Indicates a strong compelling force behind an action, slightly different in nuance from being simply "out for" something.

was on a mission to

Indicates a specific goal-oriented journey; more emphatic than a simple "out for".

sought to achieve

Highlights the attempt to reach a certain objective; less direct than "was out for".

aimed to obtain

Focuses on the intention to acquire something, differing slightly from absence or general intention.

was dedicated to

Highlights commitment and focus on a particular objective, differing from casual intention.

FAQs

What does "was out for" mean?

The phrase "was out for" can mean someone was absent for a period of time, as in "She "was out for a week" due to illness". It can also mean someone intended to achieve or obtain something, as in "He "was out for revenge"".

What are some alternatives to "was out for" when indicating absence?

When indicating absence, alternatives to "was out for" include "was absent due to", "was away for", or "was unavailable because of".

How can I use "was out for" to describe someone's intention?

To describe someone's intention, you can use "was out for" followed by the goal they are pursuing, such as "She "was out for blood"" or "He "was out for justice"".

Is there a difference between "was out for" and "was seeking"?

While both can indicate a goal, "was out for" often implies a more direct and potentially aggressive pursuit, whereas "was seeking" suggests a more general search or attempt to find something.