blurt out

say something suddenly without thinking

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What does "blurt sth out" mean?

To blurt something out is to say it suddenly and without any control — the words escape before you have a chance to think about whether you should say them. The impulse usually comes from strong emotion: panic, excitement, nervousness, or surprise. What gets blurted out is typically something sensitive — a secret, a confession, an honest opinion — that the speaker immediately regrets revealing. The verb carries a built-in sense of embarrassment or awkwardness, making it perfect for describing those cringe-worthy moments when someone speaks before their brain catches up. Crucially, blurting is always involuntary: if someone has consciously decided to reveal something, this verb doesn't apply.

Examples

How to use it

blurt out + noun phrase

The most common pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase. Longer noun phrases typically stay together directly after the particle.

She blurted out a confession in the middle of the meeting and immediately wished she hadn't.

blurt + short object + out

Short noun objects can split the phrasal verb, with the particle following the object.

He blurted the answer out before any of his classmates had even raised their hands.

blurt + pronoun + out

Pronoun objects must always go between the verb and the particle — placing the pronoun after 'out' is ungrammatical.

She hadn't meant to tell anyone, but she blurted it out the moment someone asked.

blurt out + that-clause

Used when the content of the impulsive statement is expressed as a full clause, especially for confessions or revelations.

He blurted out that he'd already seen the ending of the film, ruining it for everyone.

couldn't help blurting out + noun/that-clause

This construction emphasises that the speaker had no control over what they said.

She couldn't help blurting out the news — she was just too excited to keep quiet.

Common Collocations

blurt out a secretblurt out the truthblurt out a confessionblurt out an answerblurt out everythingblurt out without thinking

Common Mistakes

Pronoun after the particle

Pronoun objects like 'it', 'them', and 'everything' must go between the verb and 'out', not after the particle. Placing a pronoun after 'out' sounds unnatural and is grammatically wrong.

✗ She blurted out it before anyone could stop her.
✓ She blurted it out before anyone could stop her.
Using it for deliberate speech

'Blurt out' always implies the speaker had no control — it's impulsive and usually regretted. Don't use it when someone is making a conscious choice to reveal something.

✗ After careful thought, he blurted out his decision to the team.
✓ After careful thought, he announced his decision to the team.
Confusing with 'come out with'

'Come out with' describes saying something unexpected, but the speaker can be perfectly deliberate. 'Blurt out' always implies involuntary, uncontrolled speech — if the speaker chose their moment, 'blurt out' is the wrong choice.

✗ The comedian blurted out a brilliantly timed joke that had the audience in stitches.
✓ The comedian came out with a brilliantly timed joke that had the audience in stitches.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It always implies the speech was sudden and unintended, so avoid using it for deliberate or planned statements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'blurt out' be used in the present continuous — like 'she is blurting out the secret'?

This sounds awkward and is rarely used. Because blurting is an instantaneous, impulsive act, it doesn't sit naturally with the continuous aspect, which suggests something ongoing. Stick to the simple past, present, or perfect forms in most situations.

Can 'blurt out' be used in the passive voice?

It's grammatically possible, but uncommon. The passive works best when the focus is on the information that was revealed rather than on the person who said it — for example, 'His name was blurted out before anyone could stop it.' In most cases, though, the active form is more natural.

Does 'blurt out' always suggest something negative or embarrassing?

It nearly always carries a sense of regret or awkwardness, yes. Even when the thing blurted out is positive — like good news or a compliment — the verb implies the speaker lost control of the moment. If someone speaks impulsively but there's no embarrassment involved, a neutral verb like 'announce' or 'exclaim' might be a better fit.

What kinds of things can you 'blurt out'? Are there restrictions?

The most natural objects are things that are sensitive, private, or emotionally charged: a secret, the truth, a confession, a name, an apology, or an answer. You can also use a that-clause as the object: 'she blurted out that she'd already read the ending.' The common thread is that the information is something the speaker either should have kept back or delivered more carefully.

Does 'blurt out' have other meanings I should know about?

No — unlike many phrasal verbs, 'blurt out' has just one established meaning: saying something impulsively and without thinking. There are no other distinct senses to watch out for.

Related Phrasal Verbs

burst out

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