talk out of

What does "talk out of" mean?

To persuade someone not to do something

Examples

• I tried to talk her out of quitting, but she was determined.
• His friends talked him out of the risky investment.
• She talked me out of buying that car.
• No one could talk him out of his decision.
• I was going to complain, but she talked me out of it.

How to use it

Opposite of 'talk into'. Used when trying to prevent someone from doing something, often something unwise.

Word order

Object (person) goes between: 'talk someone out of something'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• talk over

  To discuss something thoroughly

• talk into

  To persuade someone to do something

• run out of

  To use up the entire supply of something

• get up

  To rise from bed after sleeping

• get back

  To return to a place

• get along

  To have a friendly relationship with someone