out of pocket: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘out of pocket’ mean?
The idiom "out of pocket" means to be at a financial loss or to pay for something personally rather than using company funds. It is often used to express the idea of spending one's own money or being responsible for expenses that are not reimbursed.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom that means someone is very poor and has no money.
The idiom "pretty penny" means a significant or large amount of money. It is often used to emphasize the high cost or value of something.
The idiom "pretty penny" is used to describe something that is expensive or costs a great deal of money. It is often used in the context of making a purchase or spending a significant amount of money on something.
The idiom "pony up" means to pay or give money, especially when it is expected or demanded. It is often used in a casual or slightly aggressive way to urge someone to contribute their share or fulfill their financial obligation.
The idiom "pin money" refers to a small amount of extra money that is earned for personal use or personal expenses.
The idiom "pay the bills" means to take care of one's financial responsibilities or obligations.
The idiom "paid up" means that a person has fully paid for something, often referring to a membership or subscription fee. It indicates that all dues or financial obligations have been settled.
Paid up is a widely used idiom in American English that originated in the 19th century. It is a phrasal adjective formed by combining the verb "paid" with the preposition "up." Its idiomatic meaning is "having paid the full amount owed."
The idiom "out sick" means that someone is absent from work or school due to being ill.
In American English, the idiom "out sick" is commonly used to indicate that someone is unable to attend work or school because they are ill. The phrase is composed of two words, "out" and "sick," each with their own meanings. "Out" means being away or not present, while "sick" refers to being in poor health or experiencing a physical ailment.
The idiom "out on one's feet" means to be extremely tired or exhausted, to the point of not being able to continue or function properly.
Decoding Origins
The idiom "out of pocket" is commonly used in American English to describe a situation where someone is financially disadvantaged or experiencing a loss. The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the 19th century, with its earliest recorded usage found in American newspapers in the late 1800s. The phrase "out of pocket" initially had a literal meaning, referring to taking money out of one's pocket to pay for something.
In business settings, "out of pocket" often refers to expenses for which a person must personally bear the cost. It can describe situations where someone has to spend their own money unexpectedly or suffers a monetary setback. The phrase can also be used to describe someone who is temporarily unavailable or unable to be reached. This usage is more prevalent in the United States compared to other English-speaking countries.
It is important to note that "out of pocket" should not be confused with the similar-sounding phrase "out of pocket expenses," which specifically refers to costs incurred by an individual that are not covered by insurance or other forms of compensation.
When someone is "on one's bill," they are responsible for paying a bill or expense themselves. This can be directly related to being "out of pocket," as both phrases describe personal financial responsibility. For example, if someone goes on a vacation and pays for everything themselves, they are both "out of pocket" and "on their bill."
"foot the bill" is another idiom related to "out of pocket." It means to pay for something, especially a large expense or bill. When someone has to pay for an expense without reimbursement, they are not only "out of pocket" but also "footing the bill." For instance, if someone pays for a dinner for a group of friends and doesn't get reimbursed, they are both "out of pocket" and "footing the bill."
Another related idiom is "on someone's dime." This phrase means that someone else is paying for something, usually a cost or expense. When someone is "out of pocket," they are responsible for covering their own costs. In contrast, when someone is "on someone's dime," they are not "out of pocket" and someone else is paying for them.
The idiom "out of house and home" is also related to "out of pocket." It means to be completely depleted of financial resources, often due to excessive spending or loss. When someone is "out of pocket," they may experience a financial loss that leaves them "out of house and home." Both phrases describe a significant financial setback or drain.
The idiom "out of pocket" is versatile and frequently used in everyday American English. Its initial literal meaning of taking money out of one's pocket has expanded to encompass a broader meaning of financial disadvantage or loss. In both formal and informal contexts, it is used to describe situations where someone experiences unexpected expenses or suffers a monetary setback. It can also describe temporary unavailability or being unreachable. Whether someone is "out of pocket" due to personal expenses, temporarily unavailable, or experiencing financial loss, this idiom continues to be a significant part of American English.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "out of pocket" can be used in a sentence include:
- After paying for my new laptop, I was completely out of pocket and couldn't afford to go out for dinner.
- Due to a lost bet, John was out of pocket $50.
- Our team had to cover the expenses out of pocket because the company didn't have enough funds.
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