light out
B2 informal intransitive
In simple words
To run away or leave very fast, often to get somewhere or get away from something.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To leave quickly and suddenly, especially to head somewhere or to escape a situation.
"As soon as the bell rang, the students lit out for the playground."
"But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest."
— Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)
Usage notes
Chiefly American English, with roots in 19th-century frontier and Southern US speech. Often followed by 'for' + destination: 'light out for the territory'. Made famous by Mark Twain. Slightly dated but still understood.
Commonly used with
territory town road quickly fast alone
Forms
Base
light out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lights out
he/she/it
Past simple
lighted out
yesterday
Past participle
lighted out
have + pp
-ing form
lighting out
continuous
Understand "light out" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "light out" on Looplines