To pour a small amount of a drink onto the ground as a gesture of respect or remembrance for someone who has died.
When you spill a little of your drink on the ground to say goodbye or remember someone who died.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To tip a small amount of an alcoholic drink onto the ground as a mark of respect for someone who has died.
"At the memorial, his friends gathered on the steps and poured one out for him."
Pour out a little liquor, pour out a little liquor / For the homies that we lost.
— 2Pac, 'Pour Out a Little Liquor' (1996)
Used figuratively or humorously online to express sympathy or mock-mourning for the loss of something trivial.
"Pour one out for my laptop — it finally gave up after five years of loyal service."
Physically spilling some of a drink — an ancient ritual of offering liquid to the spirits of the dead, present in many cultures worldwide.
When you spill a little of your drink on the ground to say goodbye or remember someone who died.
Rooted in African-American and hip-hop culture, where it is called a 'libation.' Widely popularised in the 1990s. Now used broadly in casual and youth culture. Often used figuratively or humorously online (e.g., 'pour one out for my dead phone battery'). The 'one' refers to a drink.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "pour one out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.