stick out

Meaning

To be very easy to notice because of being different or unusual, or to physically extend outward past an edge or surface. In casual conversation, it often describes someone who looks or acts differently from the people around them, sometimes making them feel awkward.

Examples

• With his bright red hair, he really sticks out in a crowd.

  With his bright red hair, he really sticks out in a crowd.

• Be careful, there's a sharp nail sticking out of that wooden board.

  Be careful, there's a sharp nail sticking out of that wooden board.

• I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb wearing a suit to such a casual party.

  I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb wearing a suit to such a casual party.

• Her talent is so obvious that she really sticks out among the other students.

  Her talent is so obvious that she really sticks out among the other students.

• Don't let your keys stick out of your pocket or they might fall out.

  Don't let your keys stick out of your pocket or they might fall out.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I stuck out from the party because I didn't know anyone.

  ✓ I stood out at the party because I was overdressed.

  While 'stick out' and 'stand out' are similar, 'stick out' in a social context often has a slightly negative or awkward connotation (often used in the idiom 'stick out like a sore thumb'), whereas 'stand out' is more neutral or positive.

• ✗ There is a bone sticking up of his arm.

  ✓ There is a bone sticking out of his arm.

  Use the preposition 'out of' to describe something protruding from inside a boundary or surface.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you wear that neon green jacket, you're going to ___.

  💡 Be very easy to notice

  Show answer

  stick out

• There was a small piece of wire ___ of the plug, so I didn't touch it.

  💡 Extending outward (-ing form)

  Show answer

  sticking out