serve out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To finish a set period of time you have to do, or to dish out food to people.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To complete a fixed period of time, such as a prison sentence, term of office, or contract.
"He was determined to serve out his full term as president despite calls for his resignation."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To distribute or portion out food or drink to a group of people.
"She served out the stew to each of the children before taking any herself."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The 'complete a term' sense is common in journalism and formal contexts. The food sense is informal and everyday.
Commonly used with
sentence term contract notice food rations
Forms
Base
serve out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
serves out
he/she/it
Past simple
served out
yesterday
Past participle
served out
have + pp
-ing form
serving out
continuous
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Synonyms
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