walk out

Meaning

To leave a place suddenly, especially as a sign of anger, disapproval, or protest. It can also refer to abandoning a relationship or family, or striking to protest working conditions.

Examples

• The movie was so incredibly boring that half the audience decided to walk out.

  The movie was so incredibly boring that half the audience decided to walk out.

• After a huge argument with the manager, she packed her things and walked out.

  After a huge argument with the manager, she packed her things and walked out.

• His father walked out on the family when he was just a little boy.

  His father walked out on the family when he was just a little boy.

• The factory workers are planning to walk out tomorrow to demand better pay.

  The factory workers are planning to walk out tomorrow to demand better pay.

• Don't just walk out in the middle of a meeting; it looks very unprofessional.

  Don't just walk out in the middle of a meeting; it looks very unprofessional.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He walked out the room.

  ✓ He walked out of the room.

  When specifying the place you are leaving, you must use 'walk out of'. 'Walk out' by itself does not take a direct object.

• ✗ She walked out her husband last year.

  ✓ She walked out on her husband last year.

  If you are abandoning a person, partner, or responsibility, you must use the three-word phrasal verb 'walk out on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The lecture was so tedious that I wanted to ___ after ten minutes.

  💡 leave in protest or boredom

  Show answer

  walk out

• It's incredibly selfish to ___ on your team when they need you most.

  💡 abandon

  Show answer

  walk out