way out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A means of exit or escape; an opening that allows one to leave a place. * This refers to a physical passage, door, or opening used to exit an enclosed or restricted space. 2. (Figurative) A solution to a difficult problem; a means of resolving a complicated situation. * This extends the meaning to describe a method or opportunity to escape from a problematic circumstance.
Usage Examples
- Literal (Physical Exit):
- The fire marshal pointed to the nearest way out.
- We couldn't find the way out of the maze.
- The building has multiple ways out in case of emergency.
- Figurative (Solution):
- After hours of negotiation, they finally saw a way out of the conflict.
- He was in debt but found a way out by selling his old collection.
- This contract offers no way out for the next three years.
Advanced Usage
- "The only way out": Emphasizes that there is a single possible exit or solution, often in a desperate situation.
- For the trapped miners, the collapsed tunnel was the only way out.
- She felt that telling the truth was the only way out of the lie.
- "A way out of": A common collocation used to specify the situation being escaped.
- They are seeking a way out of their financial troubles.
- The treaty provided a way out of the war.
Variants and Related Words
- Exit (n): A door or passage used to leave a building or area. (More formal/literal than "way out").
- Escape route (n): A pre-planned path for getting away, especially from danger.
- Out (adv, prep): Used in many phrasal verbs indicating departure or resolution (e.g., , , ).
Synonyms
- Exit
- Egress (formal)
- Outlet
- Solution
- Escape
Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms
- Find a way out: To discover or devise a solution to a problem.
- Don't worry, we'll find a way out of this mess.
- There's no way out (of): Indicates a situation is inescapable or a problem has no solution.
- From his perspective, there was no way out of the agreement.
- Way out of line: An idiom meaning behavior that is completely inappropriate or unacceptable. (Note: This is a distinct idiom using "way out" as an intensifier for "out of line").
- His comments during the meeting were way out of line.
Noun
- an opening that permits escape or release
- he blocked the way out
- the canyon had only one issue