light out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (colloquial, somewhat dated or regional)Informal, colloquial; found more in spoken narratives, older literature, or specific regional dialects (like Southern US).
Quick answer
What does “light out” mean?
to leave a place quickly, suddenly, or stealthily, often to avoid something or to go on an adventure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to leave a place quickly, suddenly, or stealthily, often to avoid something or to go on an adventure.
It conveys a sense of hurried or abrupt departure, sometimes with a connotation of escaping or heading off into the unknown. Can imply a journey begun impulsively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly associated with American English, particularly in Southern or Western contexts. In British English, it sounds archaic or like an Americanism.
Connotations
In AmE: can suggest a rustic, adventurous, or rebellious spirit. In BrE: if used, it might be perceived as a borrowing from American media.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary BrE; occasional in historical or genre fiction (e.g., Westerns, adventures) in AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “light out” in a Sentence
[Someone] lights out (for [place])[Someone] lit out (of [place])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “light out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fugitive decided to light out before the police arrived.
- He just lit out without a word of goodbye.
American English
- When the storm hit, we lit out for the nearest shelter.
- The kids lit out for the creek as soon as school was over.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely unlikely.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Rare; might be used for humorous or dramatic effect among friends ("I saw the boss coming and lit out").
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “light out”
- Using it transitively (e.g., "He lit out the door" – incorrect). Confusing it with "lights out" (noun phrase meaning bedtime or extinguishing lights).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and colloquial.
The past tense is 'lit out'.
No, that phrase is 'lights out' (noun). 'Light out' is a verb meaning to leave quickly.
It is not very common in modern speech and can sound somewhat old-fashioned or regional (American).
to leave a place quickly, suddenly, or stealthily, often to avoid something or to go on an adventure.
Light out: in British English it is pronounced /laɪt ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /laɪt ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Light out for the territories.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a light being switched off as someone disappears quickly into the darkness.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS EXTINGUISHING A LIGHT / ESCAPE IS A SUDDEN MOVEMENT FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'light out' correctly?