1 A2 neutral
To remove something from a container, pocket, or place.
"She took out her phone and started scrolling through her messages."
separable
take out
A2 neutral separable transitive
To remove something from a place, take someone on a date, obtain something officially, or destroy a target.
In plain English
To remove something, to go somewhere fun with someone, or to get rid of something.
What does "take out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To take someone to a restaurant, show, or social event, typically as a treat.
"He took her out for dinner to celebrate their anniversary."
separable
3 B1 neutral
To obtain something officially, such as a loan, policy, or subscription.
"They took out a mortgage to buy their first home."
separable
4 B2 idiomatic informal
To destroy, kill, or disable a target (often military or criminal contexts).
"Special forces were sent in to take out the communications tower."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically remove something from inside a container or space.
Actually means
To remove something, to go somewhere fun with someone, or to get rid of something.
Usage tip
Extremely versatile. 'Take someone out' for a date is very common informally. The military/action sense ('take out a target') is common in films and journalism. 'Take out a loan' is standard financial vocabulary.
Words that pair with "take out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
loan insurance trash dinner target subscription
How to conjugate "take out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
take out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
takes out
he/she/it
Past simple
took out
yesterday
Past participle
taken out
have + pp
-ing form
taking out
continuous
Hear "take out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "take out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "take out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
destroy eliminate escort extract obtain remove
Keep exploring
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