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spook out

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To make someone feel scared or creeped out, usually by something strange or spooky

Literal meaning: To cause fright like a spook (ghost) — semi-transparent

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To make someone feel frightened or uneasy, especially in a supernatural or eerie way

"That old abandoned house really spooked me out — I didn't want to go near it."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To become frightened or startled, used reflexively

"She spooked herself out reading horror stories alone at midnight."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Informal and fairly common in spoken American English. 'Spooked out' as an adjective ('I was totally spooked out') is very natural. The verb 'spook' alone is also used without 'out' with the same meaning. Often used to describe reactions to ghost stories, horror films, or strange situations.

Commonly used with

ghost noise story darkness dream house

Forms

Base
spook out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spooks out
he/she/it
Past simple
spooked out
yesterday
Past participle
spooked out
have + pp
-ing form
spooking out
continuous

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Synonyms

creep out freak out scare unsettle give the creeps unnerve

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