To purchase someone's entire share of a business or their contractual stake, giving you full control.
Pay someone all the money they are owed so you can own something completely or so they can leave.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To purchase all of someone's shares or ownership in a business so that you become the sole owner.
"She decided to buy out her business partner after years of disagreements over strategy."
"Disney bought out George Lucas's stake in Lucasfilm for over four billion dollars."
— The Wall Street Journal, 2012
To pay someone an agreed sum so that they are released early from a contract.
"The football club bought out the player's contract so he could join the rival team."
To buy someone completely out of a position or ownership.
Pay someone all the money they are owed so you can own something completely or so they can leave.
Common in business and finance. Can refer to buying a partner's share in a company or paying an employee or athlete to end their contract early.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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