1 B2 idiomatic informal
To continue to do something difficult or unpleasant to the end, rather than quitting.
"The first year of the degree was tough, but she decided to stick it out."
inseparable
stick it out
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To continue doing something difficult or unpleasant until it is finished rather than giving up.
In plain English
Stay with something hard and don't quit, even when you really want to.
What does "stick it out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Fixed idiomatic phrase — 'it' is not interchangeable. Very common in spoken English and informal writing. Often used for jobs, relationships, courses, or difficult situations.
Words that pair with "stick it out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
job marriage course year difficult hard
How to conjugate "stick it out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stick it out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sticks it out
he/she/it
Past simple
stuck it out
yesterday
Past participle
stuck it out
have + pp
-ing form
sticking it out
continuous
Hear "stick it out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "stick it out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "stick it out"
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