outplace
C1Formal, Business/HR
Definition
Meaning
To displace someone from their job, typically by making them redundant.
To surpass or exceed in placement, position, or performance; to render obsolete or unnecessary.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. In business contexts, it often implies providing support services (outplacement) to the displaced employee. The extended meaning of 'surpassing' is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is used in corporate/HR contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral-to-negative in the redundancy sense; formal and technical.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language, but established in business/HR terminology in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] outplaces [Object (person/group)][Subject] outplaces [Object] due to [reason]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific verb]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The primary context. Refers to the act of terminating employment, often with a connotation of providing outplacement services.
Academic
Rare. May appear in sociology or economics papers discussing labour market trends.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound overly formal or jargony.
Technical
Used in Human Resources (HR) management and corporate restructuring documents.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The reorganisation will outplace nearly two hundred staff.
- New software outplaced the traditional methods.
American English
- The merger will outplace several managers.
- Automation has outplaced many factory workers.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival use]
American English
- [No standard adjectival use]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [This word is not typically introduced at A2 level.]
- The company had to outplace some employees.
- During the downsizing, the firm outplaced 15% of its workforce and offered them counselling.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: placing someone OUT of the company.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMPLOYMENT IS A CONTAINED SPACE (being 'outplaced' is being moved outside that space).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'аутплейс'. Use 'сокращать (штат)' for the redundancy meaning. For the 'surpass' meaning, use 'превосходить' or 'замещать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He outplaced'). It requires an object.
- Confusing it with 'outperform' or 'outlast'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'lay off' or 'let go' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'outplace' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Outplace' specifically implies displacement due to redundancy or obsolescence (often with support offered), whereas 'fire' or 'sack' imply termination for cause or performance.
'Outplace' is the verb meaning to make someone redundant. 'Outplacement' is the noun referring to the support services (like career counselling) provided to those who have been outplaced.
Rarely. Its core meaning is negative for the person displaced. The extended meaning of 'surpassing' can be neutral, but it's uncommon.
No. It is a low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in formal business, HR, and economic discussions.