do out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (especially in US English); primarily UK informal.Informal, colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “do out” mean?
To clean, tidy, or decorate a space thoroughly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To clean, tidy, or decorate a space thoroughly.
To clean something (like a room) completely, often with the implication of making it look nice and fresh afterwards. In criminal slang, it can mean to burgle or rob a place. Also used in "done out of" to mean swindled or cheated out of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This phrasal verb is far more common in British English. In American English, the cleaning/decorating sense would likely be expressed as 'clean out', 'redo', or 'fix up'. The 'swindle' sense ('done out of') is understood but less frequent in AmE.
Connotations
In BrE, it can sound quite casual and domestic. The criminal sense ('do out a flat') is very informal/slang.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary American English outside of specific contexts or understood from exposure to BrE media.
Grammar
How to Use “do out” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] do out [OBJ (place)][SUBJ] do [OBJ (place)] out[SUBJ] be done out of [OBJ (thing)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “do out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're planning to do out the spare room before the guests arrive.
- The whole house was done out in a modern style.
- He felt he was done out of his fair share of the inheritance.
American English
- She decided to do out the basement to create a playroom. (understood, but 'redo' is more common)
- I got completely done out of that deal. (understood, colloquial)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typical. Possibly in property renovation contexts.
Academic
Virtually unused.
Everyday
Used in domestic contexts for cleaning/tidying.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “do out”
- Using 'do out' to mean 'finish' (like 'do in').
- Using it in formal writing.
- In AmE, using it and being misunderstood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a British English phrasal verb. Americans would typically use phrases like 'clean out', 'redo', or 'fix up'.
'Do out' often implies a more thorough process that may include tidying, cleaning, and sometimes redecorating. 'Clean out' focuses more on removing contents and dirt.
Not in the cleaning sense. The structure 'be done out of something' is used for people, meaning to be swindled or deprived of something.
Yes. You can say 'do out the room' or 'do the room out'.
To clean, tidy, or decorate a space thoroughly.
Do out is usually informal, colloquial. in register.
Do out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌduː ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdu ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “done out of house and home”
- “done out of a fortune”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you take everything OUT of a room to DO a deep clean, hence you DO it OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANING IS REMOVING (taking the dirt/old stuff 'out'), IMPROVEMENT IS A PROCESS OF DOING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'do out' LEAST likely to be used?