stɪk aʊt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- stick
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "stick out" mean?
- To be very noticeable
- To extend something outward
- To endure a difficult situation
Examples
- His bright red hat sticks out in the crowd.
- The child stuck out her tongue.
- Try to stick it out for another month.
- That typo sticks out like a sore thumb.
How to use it
'Stick out like a sore thumb' is a very common idiom.
Word order
Separable in 'endure' meaning: 'stick it out'. Inseparable in 'be noticeable' meaning.
Similar expressions
stand out
protrude
endure
Opposites
blend in
give up
Related phrasal verbs
- stick to
To continue doing something without changing
- 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
Use it in a practice answer
Try "stick out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.