1
general::
Phrase(s): eat (a meal) out [and] dine out
to eat a meal at a restaurant. • I like to eat a meal out every now and then. • Yes, it’s good to eat out and try different kinds of food. • It costs a lot of money to dine out often., Phrase(s): eat someone out
Go to chew someone out., Phrase(s): eat out
to eat a meal away from home, as at a restaurant. • I just love to eat out every now and then. • Let’s eat out tonight. I’m tired., Phrase(s): eat something out
1. to eat some kind of meal or a particular food away from home, as at a restaurant. • We eat fish out, but we don’t cook it at home. • We may eat out a meal or two, but certainly not every meal. 2. [for something or an animal] to consume the inside of something. • The ants ate the inside of the pumpkin out. • The ants ate out the pumpkin.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Have a meal outside one's home, usually at a restaurant. For example, We're almost out of groceries, so let's eat out tonight. [Second half of 1900s] For the antonym, see EAT IN. 2.
American Heritage Idioms