stop out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Informal, chiefly British
Quick answer
What does “stop out” mean?
To temporarily withdraw from or interrupt participation in a regular activity, often referring to education.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To temporarily withdraw from or interrupt participation in a regular activity, often referring to education.
To be out late socialising or staying away from home overnight; to take a break from a course of study or employment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and established in British English with both educational and social meanings. In American English, the educational sense is rare; 'take time off' or 'take a leave of absence' is preferred. The social sense may be understood but is not standard.
Connotations
In UK education, neutral to slightly negative (might imply falling behind). Socially, implies youthful or carefree behaviour.
Frequency
High frequency in specific UK contexts (universities), low in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “stop out” in a Sentence
[Subject] + stop out + [optional: of + institution/course][Subject] + stop out + [optional: adverbial of time]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stop out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to stop out of her degree for a year to travel.
- The lads stopped out until 4 a.m. celebrating.
American English
- He's stopping out of his MBA program next semester. (Rare, understood)
- They stopped out all night at the concert. (Understood but non-standard)
adjective
British English
- Stop-out students need to reapply for accommodation.
- He had a stop-out year working in Australia.
American English
- The stop-out policy is less common here. (Rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used informally for 'take a career break'.
Academic
Common in UK higher education administration and student discourse.
Everyday
Used socially to mean 'stay out late' (UK).
Technical
Specific term in UK university regulations for temporary withdrawal.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stop out”
- Using it in formal American contexts.
- Confusing it with 'drop out' (which is permanent).
- Using it without an object when the context is unclear (e.g., 'He stopped out' – from what?).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Drop out' implies permanently leaving a course or activity. 'Stop out' specifically means a temporary break with the intention to return.
No, it is informal. In formal UK university contexts, terms like 'intermit', 'suspend studies', or 'take a leave of absence' are used.
Yes, in British informal use it can mean to stay out late socialising, especially overnight (e.g., 'We stopped out all night'). This usage is less common.
They typically use phrases like 'take a leave of absence', 'take time off', or 'defer enrollment'. The term 'stop out' is rarely used in official American academic language.
To temporarily withdraw from or interrupt participation in a regular activity, often referring to education.
Stop out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɒp aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːp aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stop out all night”
- “Stop out of university”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a student stepping OUT of the university building to press the STOP button on their studies for a while.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A JOURNEY (stepping off the path).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stop out' most commonly and correctly used?