Definition

Adjective Phrase - Not accurately aligned, fitted, or level; not in proper alignment or adjustment. Describes something that is crooked, warped, or not sitting correctly within its frame or intended position, often resulting in malfunction or poor fit.

Usage

This phrase is primarily used to describe physical objects, especially in construction, carpentry, and mechanics, where precise alignment is crucial. It indicates a state of being misaligned or improperly fitted. - It is typically used after a form of the verb "to be" (e.g., is, was, are, were). - It often modifies nouns like door, window, frame, wheel, axle.

Examples

• Adjective Phrase:
  • The carpenter discovered the door was out of true and wouldn't close properly.
  • After the accident, the car's front axle was slightly out of true.
  • If the wheel is out of true, it will cause the bicycle to wobble.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Mechanical Context: Commonly used when discussing the alignment of rotating parts (e.g., wheels, shafts) or structural elements.
  • The machinist checked the lathe to ensure the spindle was not out of true.
• Implied Consequence: The phrase often carries the implication that the misalignment causes a functional problem.
  • The entire mechanism failed because a single gear was out of true.

Variants and Related Words

• Untrue (adj): In technical contexts, can be used synonymously with "out of true," meaning not straight, level, or aligned.
  • The wall was built untrue.
• True (verb): The action of making something aligned, level, or properly fitted.
  • He trued the bicycle wheel with a spoke wrench.

Synonyms

• Misaligned: Not in correct alignment.
• Out of alignment: Not lined up correctly.
• Crooked: Not straight; bent or twisted.
• Warped: Bent or twisted out of shape.
• Off-level: Not horizontal or flat.

Related Phrases

• Out of plumb: Not perfectly vertical. (Often used alongside "out of true," which can refer to being out of horizontal alignment).
• Out of square: Not forming a right angle; not square.

Adjective

1. not accurately fitted; not level
   • the frame was out of true
   • off-level floors and untrue doors and windows