1 C1 idiomatic informal
To force a rival or competitor out of a market, position, or territory through aggressive action.
"The larger chain horned out the independent shops by cutting prices dramatically."
separable
horn out
C1 informal separable transitive
To force or drive someone out of a position, territory, or situation.
In plain English
Push someone out of a place or position using pressure or force.
What does "horn out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use horns (as an animal does) to drive something outward.
Actually means
Push someone out of a place or position using pressure or force.
Usage tip
Rare and somewhat archaic. Used mainly in business or competitive contexts to describe aggressive displacement of a competitor. Far less common than its antonym 'horn in'.
Words that pair with "horn out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
competition market territory rival position
How to conjugate "horn out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
horn out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
horns out
he/she/it
Past simple
horned out
yesterday
Past participle
horned out
have + pp
-ing form
horning out
continuous
Hear "horn out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "horn out"
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Keep exploring
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