Differences between act out and come out
Act out means to express one's emotions or feelings through behavior, often in an exaggerated or inappropriate way. Come out means to emerge or appear from a hidden or enclosed place or to reveal one's true identity or feelings.
Meanings and Definitions: act out vs come out
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Act out
- 1Perform something with actions and gestures..
They ACTED OUT the story on stage.
- 2Express an emotion in your behaviour.
Their anger is ACTED OUT in their antisocial behaviour.
Come out
- 1A secret is revealed.
The details of the scandal CAME OUT in the press and she had to resign.
- 2Be published or otherwise available to the public.
The band's new CD is COMING OUT in September.
- 3Disappear when washed.
The red wine I spilt just will not COME OUT of the carpet no matter what I try to clean it with.
- 4Let people know that you are lesbian or gay.
She CAME OUT at university and has been living with her partner, Jane, for the last couple of years.
- 5When the sun appears.
It started cloudy, but then the sun CAME OUT and we all went to the park.
Usage Examples: act out, come out in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
act out
Example
The children love to act out their favorite fairy tales.
Example
She acts out the scenes from her favorite movies.
come out
Example
The truth about the scandal finally came out.
Example
The new movie comes out next week.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act out
vent one's feelings
To express one's emotions or feelings, often in an intense or uncontrolled way.
Example
He vented his feelings about the situation to his best friend and felt much better afterwards.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come out
To come out or appear from a hidden or enclosed place.
Example
The sun emerged from behind the clouds and warmed up the chilly morning.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “come”
Phrasal Verbs with “out”
Differences in act out vs come out: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: act out or come out?
In daily conversation, people use come out more often than act out. This is because come out is used for various situations such as coming out of a room, coming out of the closet, or coming out with the truth. Act out is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about expressing emotions or feelings through behavior. So, while both phrases are used, come out is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act out and come out
Act out and come out are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act out and come out
The tone of act out and come out can differ based on context. Act out often carries a negative or dramatic tone when related to expressing emotions or feelings, while come out typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to emerging or revealing something.
