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see out

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To walk someone to the door so they can leave; or to continue doing something until it is completely finished.

Literal meaning: To guide someone out through a door — or to watch something out to its end.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To escort or accompany a visitor to the exit of a building.

"The assistant saw the client out after the meeting and thanked him for coming."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To last or continue until the end of a period of time, often despite difficulties.

"The manager agreed to see out the remainder of his contract before leaving the club."

"He will see out the season before any decision is made about his future."

— The Guardian, 2022
Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

To survive or outlast something (such as a period of hardship or a winter).

"The old car barely saw out the winter — it broke down for good in March."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The 'escort to the exit' sense is common in professional settings. The 'endure to the end' sense is often used about contracts, seasons, or difficult periods.

Commonly used with

contract season year guest visitor term

Forms

Base
see out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sees out
he/she/it
Past simple
saw out
yesterday
Past participle
seen out
have + pp
-ing form
seeing out
continuous

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