leave out
High (B1-B2)Neutral to informal; common in spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To not include something or someone; to omit.
To exclude intentionally or accidentally from a list, group, or consideration; to cause someone to feel excluded or not accepted.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can denote both a deliberate action (intentional exclusion) and an oversight. The passive form 'feel left out' describes a state of social exclusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core usage. British English may use 'miss out' more readily for omission. The idiom 'leave it out' (meaning 'stop it') is primarily British slang.
Connotations
Equally strong in both varieties. 'Feel left out' is a very common collocation in both.
Frequency
Extremely frequent and stable in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
leave out + Noun Phrase (object)leave + Noun Phrase (object) + outbe/get left outfeel left outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Leave it out! (UK slang: 'stop it!')”
- “feel left out (idiomatic state of exclusion)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The summary left out the projected losses, which was misleading."
Academic
"The study left out a crucial control group, weakening its conclusions."
Everyday
"Don't leave me out of the party plans!"
Technical
"The algorithm was leaving out edge-case data, causing errors."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't leave my name out of the credits.
- You've left out the most important bit.
- She felt really left out when they went to the pub without her.
American English
- They left out the financial section of the report.
- Be careful not to leave anyone out of the invitation list.
- He was left out of the starting lineup for the game.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The left-out child looked miserable.
- He gave her a left-out feeling.
American English
- She had a left-out expression on her face.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please leave out the onions. I don't like them.
- Did you leave out the milk? It's not in the fridge.
- I don't want to be left out of the game.
- You left out the date on your application form.
- The article leaves out some important facts.
- She felt left out because she didn't get an invitation.
- The manager deliberately left her out of the key meetings.
- Any analysis that leaves out cultural factors is incomplete.
- Children can be cruel, often leaving others out of their social groups.
- The contract was void because it left out a vital clause regarding liability.
- His theory elegantly explains the phenomena that rival models leave out.
- Chronic feelings of being left out can lead to social anxiety.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a child waiting to be picked for a football team. If the team captain looks past them, they are LEFT OUT. The phrasal verb 'leaves out' the child.
Conceptual Metaphor
INCLUSION IS IN THE CONTAINER; EXCLUSION IS OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER. Being 'left out' means being left outside the metaphorical social or conceptual boundary.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating word-for-word as 'оставлять снаружи'. Use 'исключать' or 'не включать' for omission.
- Be careful not to confuse 'leave out' (omit) with 'leave' (уезжать/оставлять).
- The Russian phrase 'выпускать из виду' (to overlook) is a close conceptual match.
Common Mistakes
- *I left out to mention the time. (Correct: I left out the time / I forgot to mention the time)
- Incorrect word order: *'We left the important detail out it.' (Correct: 'We left the important detail out' or 'We left out the important detail')
- Confusing with 'leave behind': 'Leave out' is about exclusion, while 'leave behind' is physical location or abandonment.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'feel left out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Omit' is more formal and often used in written, technical, or official contexts. 'Leave out' is more common in everyday speech and can carry a stronger sense of personal exclusion.
Both are correct. The order 'leave out + object' is slightly more common, especially with longer objects (e.g., 'leave out the most important details'). 'Leave + object + out' is often used with pronouns (e.g., 'leave them out') or for emphasis.
Yes, very commonly. For example: 'Important data was left out of the analysis.' The phrase 'feel left out' is an extremely common idiomatic passive construction describing an emotional state.
Not exactly. 'To miss out' (on something) means to fail to experience or benefit from something good. 'To leave out' (something/someone) means to omit or exclude. For example: 'I left out the salt' (omitted). 'I missed out on the concert' (didn't get to go). In British English, 'miss out' can sometimes be used like 'leave out' (e.g., 'You missed out a comma').