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Out of Pocket

What Does "Out of Pocket" Mean?

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"Out of pocket" is an English idiom. It means "having spent money or incurred expenses, often referring to expenses that are not reimbursed."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "out of pocket" used in a sentence:
  • After paying for dinner, he was out of pocket for the evening.
  • The repair costs for the car left him out of pocket by a substantial amount.
  • She loaned money to a friend and was still out of pocket when the friend never repaid it.
meaning for out of pocket

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Out of Pocket" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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