1 C1 idiomatic formal
(Legal, archaic) To formally petition a court to grant and issue a writ or other legal instrument.
"The plaintiff's counsel sought to sue out a writ of mandamus compelling the authority to act."
separable
sue out
C1 formal separable transitive
(Legal, archaic/formal) To petition a court to obtain and issue a writ, injunction, or other legal instrument.
In plain English
Formally ask a court to give you an official legal document or order.
What does "sue out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
This is an archaic legal term most likely to appear in historical legal texts or formal legal writing. Modern legal practice would typically use 'obtain', 'apply for', or 'issue'. Unlikely to be encountered in everyday speech. Included for completeness in legal or academic contexts.
Words that pair with "sue out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
writ injunction order pardon patent
How to conjugate "sue out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sue out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sues out
he/she/it
Past simple
sued out
yesterday
Past participle
sued out
have + pp
-ing form
suing out
continuous
Hear "sue out" in the wild
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