out of house and home: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘out of house and home’ mean?
The idiom "out of house and home" means to be completely destitute, having lost everything one possesses, especially due to financial hardships or being forced to leave one's home.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take out" means to remove something or someone from a particular place or situation.
The idiom "take out" has several meanings and uses in American English.
The idiom "out of one's mind" means to be mentally deranged or insane.
The idiom "out of one's element" means to be in a situation or place where one feels uncomfortable or is not able to perform as well as usual.
The idiom "out of one's box" means to be acting in an unconventional or unexpected way, deviating from one's usual behavior or habits.
Out of one's box is an idiom used to describe someone who is thinking or behaving in a way that is unexpected or outside of their usual character or comfort zone. It suggests a departure from the norm and implies a willingness to explore new ideas or approaches.
The idiom "out of nowhere" means something unexpectedly or suddenly appearing without any prior indication or warning.
The idiom "out of nowhere" is a commonly used phrase in English language, primarily in the United States. It is often used to describe unexpected events or occurrences that seem to have no clear or logical origin.
"Out of luck" means to have no good fortune or opportunities, often due to circumstances beyond one's control.
The idiom "out of luck" is a commonly used expression in American English that refers to being in a situation where one does not have any luck or favorable outcomes. It often indicates a lack of success or unfortunate circumstances.
The idiom "out of gas" means to have no more energy, enthusiasm, or motivation to continue doing something. It can also refer to a situation where a vehicle has run out of fuel and is unable to continue running.
The idiom "out of frame" means that something or someone is not included or considered in a particular situation or context. It suggests that the subject is not within the scope or boundaries of what is being discussed or depicted.
The idiom "out of date" means something or someone that is no longer current, modern, or in fashion.
The idiom *out of bounds* means that something is prohibited or not allowed within a certain area or context.
Origins Unveiled
The idiom "out of house and home" is often used figuratively and is not meant to be taken literally. It suggests that someone has been completely stripped of their material possessions and left with nothing, not even a place to live. It is a metaphorical expression that emphasizes the severity of one's loss.
This idiom can be used in various contexts. For example, it can be used to describe someone who has been evicted from their home or someone who has lost everything due to a financial crisis. It can also be used more metaphorically to describe someone who is being taken advantage of or exploited excessively, causing them to lose what they hold dear.
When someone is "out of house and home," it means they no longer have a place to live. They have been forced to leave their home or have been evicted from their residence. This could be due to financial difficulties, a natural disaster, or other unforeseen circumstances. When faced with this situation, individuals may have no choice but to find temporary shelter, such as staying with friends or family, or even becoming homeless.
The related idiom "go out" can be used in conjunction with "out of house and home." When someone "goes out," it means they are leaving their current location or situation. In the context of being "out of house and home," someone who "goes out" may be actively seeking a new place to live, looking for work or resources to get back on their feet, or simply trying to find a temporary solution to their housing situation.
A similar phrase to consider is "leave home." When someone "leaves home," they are voluntarily or involuntarily leaving their place of residence. This can occur for various reasons, such as moving out for the first time, going off to college, or being forced to leave due to personal or family circumstances. In the context of being "out of house and home," someone who has "left home" may be experiencing a sense of displacement and uncertainty, unsure of where they will end up or if they will ever be able to return to a stable living situation.
Another related idiom is "move out." When someone "moves out," they are relocating from their current living arrangement to a new location. This can involve finding a new home, apartment, or even transitioning to a different type of housing situation. In the context of being "out of house and home," someone who has "moved out" may have made a deliberate choice to leave their previous residence in search of a better living situation, or they may have been forced to move out due to circumstances beyond their control.
Lastly, the idiom "on the street" is also relevant to the concept of being "out of house and home." When someone is "on the street," it means they are homeless and have no place to live. This phrase emphasizes the dire circumstances of someone who is without a home, often highlighting the vulnerability and desperation they may face. Being "out of house and home" is a similar state, as it implies a complete loss of shelter and security.
The idiom "out of house and home" expresses the idea of being completely deprived of one's possessions or having all of one's resources drained. It can be used to describe someone who has been evicted from their home, lost everything due to a financial crisis, or is being taken advantage of and has lost what they hold dear. When faced with this situation, individuals may "go out" and actively seek a new home, "leave home" and experience a sense of displacement, or "move out" when relocating to a different living arrangement. Ultimately, being "out of house and home" can leave someone "on the street" without a place to live, highlighting the severity of their loss and the challenges they may face.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "out of house and home" can be used in a sentence:
1. After the fire, the family was left homeless and had lost all their belongings. They were literally out of house and home.
2. When my teenage son moved back in after dropping out of college, he ate all the food, slept all day, and didn't contribute to any household expenses. He was driving us out of house and home.
3. The greedy landlord raised the rent so high that many tenants were forced to move out. He was known for kicking people out of house and home just to make more money.
More "Home" idioms
