eat out
have a meal at a restaurant instead of at home
What does "eat out" mean?
Examples
- We eat out about twice a week because neither of us enjoys cooking.
- Did you eat out last night, or did you make something at home?
- I'd love to eat out this evening — there's a new Italian place I've been wanting to try.
How to use it
The most common pattern — 'eat out' is intransitive and stands alone, often with a time or frequency expression added.
My family eats out every Friday evening as a little tradition.
Use 'at' to specify the type of place or the name of the restaurant.
We decided to eat out at a small Thai place near the office.
Use 'with' to mention the people you are eating with.
She loves eating out with her colleagues after a long week.
Use 'to + verb' to explain the reason for eating out.
They went out and ate out to celebrate his promotion.
The gerund 'eating out' is natural when discussing the activity as a general concept or habit.
Eating out regularly can add up to a lot of money over a month.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
'Eat out' is intransitive, which means it never takes a direct object. You cannot say what you 'ate out' — the phrase simply describes the act of going to a restaurant instead of eating at home.
'Eat in' is the direct opposite — it means to have a meal at home rather than at a restaurant. The two are often used together in the same question to present a choice.
Usage
This phrasal verb is fully neutral and works in any everyday context, from chatting with friends to writing a blog post. It is equally common in both British and American English with no register restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'eating out' be used as a noun phrase or subject?
Yes — 'eating out' as a gerund is very common when you want to talk about the activity as a concept or general habit. For example: 'Eating out is a great way to try new cuisines.' This form is especially useful in sentences about cost, frequency, or preference.
What's the difference between 'eat out' and 'dine out'?
'Dine out' has the same basic meaning but sounds more formal and a little old-fashioned. Most people use 'eat out' in everyday conversation, casual emails, or lifestyle articles. You might see 'dine out' in more formal writing or in upmarket restaurant contexts.
Does 'eat out' have any other meanings?
In everyday English, 'eat out' almost always refers to having a meal at a restaurant instead of at home. This is the meaning you will encounter in the vast majority of situations, so you don't need to worry about other uses.
What kinds of adverbs go well with 'eat out'?
Frequency adverbs and expressions are very natural with 'eat out' — for example: 'often', 'rarely', 'occasionally', 'twice a week', 'every weekend', or 'a lot'. These help describe how much of a habit eating out is for someone.
Is 'eat out' British or American English?
'Eat out' is equally common in both British and American English, and there is no difference in meaning between the two. You will hear and read it in everyday contexts all over the world.
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