dɪʃ aʊt
informal
intermediate
- Base verb:
- dish
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "dish out" mean?
- To distribute or serve food.
- To give out something freely, such as criticism or punishment.
Examples
- She dished out soup to everyone in the line.
- He can dish out criticism, but he can't take it.
- The teacher dished out extra homework as punishment.
- The company dished out bonuses to all employees.
How to use it
'Can dish it out but can't take it' is a very common phrase.
Word order
Object can go between: 'dish it out' or 'dish out advice'.
Similar expressions
hand out
distribute
serve
dole out
Opposites
withhold
keep
Related phrasal verbs
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
- go out
To leave your home for social activities or entertainment
- give out
To distribute something to multiple people
- bring out
To produce and release a new product, book, or album
- come out
To become known or revealed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "dish out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.