trot out

present the same old argument or excuse in a tired, predictable way

C2

What does "trot sth out" mean?

To trot out something is to produce a familiar argument, excuse, or claim in a way that signals it has been used many times before and has lost any real force or originality. The phrase carries an unmistakably dismissive, even contemptuous tone — the speaker is signalling that whoever is making the argument is being intellectually lazy, cynical, or predictable. It is almost never used neutrally: calling someone out for trotting something out implies you see through the move. You will encounter it frequently in political commentary, journalism, and editorial writing, as well as in sharp everyday conversation. Objects are typically things like tired excuses, discredited statistics, worn-out justifications, or stock phrases — rarely anything fresh or impressive.

Examples

How to use it

trot out + argument/excuse/claim

The most common pattern, where the object — typically a noun phrase describing something stale or predictable — follows 'out' unseparated.

The spokesperson trotted out the same tired justifications about budget constraints.

trot + pronoun + out

When a pronoun replaces the object, it must go between 'trot' and 'out', never after.

That argument is so old — I can't believe they're still trotting it out.

trot + short noun + out

Separation is possible with short, simple noun objects, though the unseparated form is equally natural.

Every time there's a crisis, the party trots the same line out.

be trotted out

The passive is natural and common when the focus is on the stale argument or excuse itself rather than on who is repeating it.

The same discredited statistics are trotted out whenever this debate comes up.

trot out + object + adverbial of frequency

Adverbials like 'again', 'every time', 'once again', and 'as usual' are natural companions that reinforce the sense of tiresome repetition.

She trotted out the usual platitudes once again, and nobody in the room looked convinced.

Common Collocations

the same old argumentstired excusesfamiliar statisticsstock phrasesworn-out justificationsthe usual clichés

Common Mistakes

Using it in a neutral or positive context

'Trot out' always implies that whatever is being produced is stale, predictable, or cynically deployed — it cannot be used to describe a fresh, impressive, or welcome point. Using it admiringly produces a jarring contradiction.

✗ The professor trotted out a brilliant new theory that changed the field.
✓ The professor presented a brilliant new theory that changed the field.
Confusing it with 'wheel out'

'Wheel out' typically refers to producing a person — an expert, a celebrity, a familiar figurehead — for rhetorical effect, while 'trot out' more naturally applies to arguments, excuses, statistics, and stock phrases.

✗ They wheeled out the same old excuses about the economy not being ready.
✓ They trotted out the same old excuses about the economy not being ready.
Using it in formal academic writing

'Trot out' is informal and carries a strongly contemptuous tone, which makes it out of place in academic essays or formal reports. In those contexts, a more neutral phrase is needed.

✗ The authors trot out familiar claims regarding consumer behaviour without new evidence.
✓ The authors rehearse familiar claims regarding consumer behaviour without new evidence.

Usage

This phrasal verb is informal and most common in spoken language, journalism, and political commentary. It always carries a dismissive or contemptuous tone, so it's not appropriate in neutral academic or formal writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'trot out' always sound critical? Can it be used to describe something positive?

Yes, it is almost always critical or contemptuous — the phrase inherently implies that whatever is being produced is unoriginal, intellectually lazy, or cynically recycled. Using it to describe something genuinely impressive or fresh sounds unnatural and contradictory. If you want to describe someone raising a good point, use a neutral verb like 'present', 'raise', or 'put forward'.

What kinds of things can be 'trotted out'? Can it refer to a person?

The object is almost always a thing — typically arguments, excuses, statistics, clichés, stock phrases, or familiar justifications. It is not commonly used to refer to a person being produced for effect; for that, 'wheel out' is more natural (e.g. 'they wheeled out their star economist'). Think of 'trot out' as applying to words and ideas, not people.

Is 'trot out' used more in British or American English?

It is well established in both British and American English, particularly in political commentary, journalism, and opinion writing. There is no strong regional restriction — you will encounter it in editorials and critical writing on both sides of the Atlantic.

Can I use 'trot out' in a passive sentence?

Yes, the passive is quite natural with this phrasal verb. 'The same excuses were trotted out' or 'these figures are routinely trotted out' both sound idiomatic. The passive is especially useful when you want to focus on the tiresome argument itself rather than on the specific person repeating it.

Are there particular words or phrases that often appear alongside 'trot out'?

Yes — adverbials like 'again', 'once again', 'every time', and 'as usual' pair very naturally with 'trot out' and reinforce its sense of tedious repetition. The objects that follow it are also typically pre-modified with words like 'same old', 'tired', 'familiar', 'worn-out', or 'discredited', which amplify the dismissive tone.

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