take out

To remove someone or something from a place or container.

• Please take out the rubbish.
• He took a coin out of his pocket.
• The dentist has taken out my damaged tooth.

How to use it: take something out of something (She took her keys out of her bag.)

Similar words: remove, extract

Opposites: put in

Common phrases: take out the rubbish, take out something, take out a tooth

To go somewhere with someone on a date, usually arranging or paying for the outing.

• Can I take you out tonight?
• She took her boyfriend out for dinner.
• He has never taken me out to the cinema.

How to use it: take someone out for something (He took her out for dinner.); take someone out to somewhere (I would like to take you out to a restaurant.)

Common phrases: take someone out, take out your girlfriend

To arrange to get something such as a loan or insurance through an official process.

• We need to take out insurance.
• They took out a loan to buy the house.
• Have you taken out a subscription to the magazine?

Similar words: obtain, arrange

Common phrases: take out a loan, take out insurance, take out a mortgage

To use force to stop someone or something from moving, acting, or working.

• The punch took him out.
• She took out the guard without killing him.
• A hard tackle took our best player out of the game.

How to use it: take someone/something out (The defender took the attacker out with a heavy tackle.)

Similar words: disable, incapacitate, subdue

Common phrases: take out a guard, take out an opponent, take someone out

To kill someone or destroy something, often in a planned attack.

• The missile took out the bridge.
• They hired a killer to take him out.
• The soldiers were ordered to take out the enemy base.

How to use it: take someone/something out (The missile took the enemy radar station out.)

Similar words: kill, destroy, eliminate

Common phrases: take out a target, take out a base, take someone out

To affect someone so strongly that they feel amazed or cannot stop laughing.

• That joke took me out.
• These amazing photos are taking me out.
• Her expression in the video absolutely took us out.

How to use it: take someone out (That ridiculous joke took me out.)

Similar words: overwhelm, amaze

Common phrases: take someone out, take out the audience