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OUT OF THE WAY
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Remote from populous or much-traveled regions
Example:
they found a quiet out-of-the-way resort
Synonyms:
off the beaten track; out-of-the-way; out of the way
Classified under:
Similar:
far (located at a great distance in time or space or degree)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Exceptional, unusual, or remarkable
Example:
out-of-the-way information
Synonyms:
out-of-the-way; out of the ordinary; out of the way
Classified under:
Similar:
unusual (not usual or common or ordinary)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Dealt with; disposed of
Example:
I'm so relieved that my midterm is out of the way
Synonyms:
out-of-the-way; out of the way
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
finished (ended or brought to an end)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Improper or even offensive
Example:
out-of-the-way remarks
Synonyms:
out-of-the-way; out of the way
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
improper (not suitable or right or appropriate)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
So as not to obstruct or hinder
Example:
put that box out of the way so that no one trips on it
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
Murdered
Example:
the mob boss wanted his rival out of the way
Classified under:
Sense 3
Meaning:
In a remote location or at a distance from the usual route
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 4
Meaning:
Improper; amiss
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 5
Meaning:
Extraordinary; unusual
Example:
such erratic behavior was out of the way for him
Classified under:
Adverbs
Context examples:
"Then get out of the way," was the reply, "and don't bother me. I'm busy."
(White Fang, by Jack London)
They could barely keep the traces taut, and on the down grades just managed to keep out of the way of the sled.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
We exchanged nothing more than good-mornings, and, though he could not see, he sat on the rail out of the way and followed by the sound all that I did.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
I was sure that he would make an attempt to get me out of the way at once, and would bring round his murderous weapon for that purpose.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The sparrow, seeing that the carter did not turn out of the way, but would go on in the track in which the dog lay, so as to drive over him, called out, Stop! stop!
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
They made me a sign that I should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning the people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, Borach mevolah; and when they saw the vessels in the air, there was a universal shout of Hekinah degul.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell's, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Mrs. Goddard was the mistress of a School—not of a seminary, or an establishment, or any thing which professed, in long sentences of refined nonsense, to combine liberal acquirements with elegant morality, upon new principles and new systems—and where young ladies for enormous pay might be screwed out of health and into vanity—but a real, honest, old-fashioned Boarding-school, where a reasonable quantity of accomplishments were sold at a reasonable price, and where girls might be sent to be out of the way, and scramble themselves into a little education, without any danger of coming back prodigies.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
I do not know the particulars, but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the least to blame, that he cannot bear to hear George Wickham mentioned, and that though my brother thought that he could not well avoid including him in his invitation to the officers, he was excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of the way.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
"Keep out of the way," said Mr. Rochester, thrusting her aside: "she has no knife now, I suppose, and I'm on my guard."
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
