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opt out

B1 neutral intransitive
In simple words

To say 'no thanks, leave me out' when given the choice.

Literal meaning: To choose (opt) to be out (excluded).

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To choose not to take part in a system, programme, or service that you have been automatically included in.

"You can opt out of receiving promotional emails at any time."

2 B2 neutral

To withdraw from a legal agreement, treaty, or obligation.

"The government threatened to opt out of the international climate agreement."

3 B2 idiomatic informal

(Informal) To choose to step back from the pressures of modern life or a demanding situation.

"After years of stress, she decided to opt out of city life and move to the countryside."

Usage notes

Common in legal, medical, political, and digital contexts. An 'opt-out' system includes you by default unless you actively withdraw. Widely used in data privacy law and workplace policy.

Commonly used with

pension scheme data sharing newsletter treaty agreement system

Forms

Base
opt out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
opts out
he/she/it
Past simple
opted out
yesterday
Past participle
opted out
have + pp
-ing form
opting out
continuous

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