1 C1 informal
To exit a confined space or climb out of something by gripping with the limbs and body.
"He had to shin out of the window when the door was stuck fast."
inseparable
shin out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To climb out of something using the shins and arms, gripping and moving the body upward or outward.
In plain English
To climb out of something by gripping it with your arms and legs and pulling yourself along.
What does "shin out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use the shins to climb outward from something.
Actually means
To climb out of something by gripping it with your arms and legs and pulling yourself along.
Usage tip
Chiefly British English. Refers to the physical technique of shinning — wrapping the limbs around a pole, tree, or similar and moving by gripping. Mostly encountered in descriptions of physical activity or escape. Not widely used in contemporary everyday speech.
Words that pair with "shin out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
window tree pipe wall rope
How to conjugate "shin out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
shin out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
shins out
he/she/it
Past simple
shined out
yesterday
Past participle
shined out
have + pp
-ing form
shining out
continuous
Hear "shin out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "shin out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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