1 C1 informal
To drive a vehicle in reverse out of a confined space such as a garage or driveway.
"Can you back one out so I can park mine inside before the rain starts?"
separable
back one out
C1 informal separable transitive
To reverse a vehicle out of a space, typically a garage or tight parking spot.
In plain English
To drive a car backwards out of a small space like a garage.
What does "back one out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move one vehicle backwards out of a space.
Actually means
To drive a car backwards out of a small space like a garage.
Usage tip
Relatively informal and mainly North American. 'One' here is an informal pronoun standing in for the vehicle. Often used in casual speech: 'Let me back one out so you can get yours in.' Not widely used in formal writing.
Words that pair with "back one out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
garage driveway car truck parking spot space
How to conjugate "back one out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
back one out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
backs one out
he/she/it
Past simple
backed one out
yesterday
Past participle
backed one out
have + pp
-ing form
backing one out
continuous
Hear "back one out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "back one out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.