Expressing action to extinguish a flame, make something available, or indicate inconvenience caused by a request.

Ensuring safety (extinguishing fires), showing politeness (avoiding burdening others), or disseminating information (publishing statements).

When there is a fire, when someone asks to leave early, when releasing public information.

Everyday conversation, emergency responses, workplace safety briefings, press releases.

put out

put out

a fire, a candle, a cigarette, a smoke alarm, a press statement, someone’s time or comfort.

• put out the fire
• put out a cigarette
• put out a press release
• put someone out.

• extinguish (fire)
• suppress (flames)
• quench (thirst or fire)
• issue (a statement)
• broadcast (news).

Using 'put out it' instead of 'put it out'; confusing 'put out' with 'put off' (postpone).

turn off (lights/devices), go out (leave a place), put off (delay or annoy).

Learners may confuse 'put out' with 'turn off' for lights; in British English, 'put the light out' is outdated — use 'switch off'. 'Put someone out' means causing inconvenience, not general discomfort.

• put away
• put down
• put off
• put up

Often used politely to soften the impact of a request or to apologize for causing minor trouble, e.g., 'I hope I'm not putting you out.'

Signals responsibility in safety contexts and consideration in social ones, often softening demands or acknowledging disruption.

extinguish or inconvenience

Put out is a separable phrasal verb meaning to extinguish a flame, turn off a light, or cause inconvenience. Common in both casual and professional settings.

extinguish (fire), issue (a statement), inconvenience (someone), request (someone to leave)