1
general::
1. Also, stick out a mile or like a sore thumb. Be very prominent or conspicuous, as in Dad's funny hat made him stick out in the crowd, or That purple house sticks out a mile, or John's lie sticks out like a sore thumb. The first term dates from the mid-1500s, the variants from the first half of the 1900s. The variant using thumb alludes to the propensity for holding an injured thumb stiffly, making it stand out (and thereby risking further injury). 2. Continue doing something, endure something, as in I know you don't like it but you have to stick out the job for another month. [Late 1600s] A variant is stick it out, as in His new play's boring, but since he's my cousin we'd better stick it out. [Late 1800s] Also see STICK IT, def. 1.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): stick out (of someone or something)
to protrude from someone or something. • The arrow stuck out of him, wobbling as he staggered. • A dollar bill stuck out of the book. What a strange bookmark., Phrase(s): stick something out
to endure something; to stay with something. (The something can be vaguely expressed using it.) • I will stick it out as long as I can. • She stuck out the abuse as long as she could; then she started looking for another job., Phrase(s): stick out (from someone or something)
to project outward from someone or something. • His right arm, which was in a cast, stuck out from him like a crane. • His arm stuck out., Phrase(s): stick out
to project outward. • You can’t lock your suitcase because there is a bit of cloth sticking out. • Some cloth stuck out of the top of the drawer.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs