find out

/faɪnd aʊt/
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To discover information or uncover something someone tried to hide.

Examples

  • We need to find out why the light went off.
  • She feared she would be found out.
  • Let us find out whether the shop is open.
  • The thief was found out after someone checked the camera.
  • He lied for months, but his friends found him out.

Similar words

unmask
expose
discover
learn
catch
work out

Meanings

Discover information

knowledge
neutral
To learn a fact or get an answer that you did not know before.

Examples

  • I found out the train leaves at six.
  • We need to find out why the light went off.
  • Did you find out her address?
  • She found out about the surprise yesterday.
  • Let us find out whether the shop is open.

Similar words

Expose a hidden wrong

behavior
neutral
To discover that someone has done something wrong or has been dishonest.

Examples

  • The thief was found out after someone checked the camera.
  • He lied for months, but his friends found him out.
  • The fake account was found out by the moderators.
  • She feared she would be found out.
  • Eventually the cheating player was found out.

Similar words

Etymology

Find means to discover something, and out suggests bringing hidden information into the open.

FAQ

What does find out usually mean?

It usually means to learn something you did not know before.

Can find out be followed by a question word?

Yes. You can find out why, when, where or how something happened.

What does it mean to be found out?

It can mean that someone discovered a wrong or dishonest act.

What is the past tense of find out?

It is found out.

Is find out the same as find?

No. Find often concerns locating a thing, while find out concerns learning information.

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