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Phrasal verbs "fork out" vs "opt out"

Differences between fork out and opt out

Fork out means to pay a large sum of money, usually unwillingly or with difficulty, while opt out means to choose not to participate in something or to remove oneself from a situation.

Meanings and Definitions: fork out vs opt out

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Fork out

  • 1To pay a large amount of money, often unwillingly or reluctantly.

    And hey, they even did their own conveyancing, so they didn't have to fork out those exorbitant lawyer's fees.

Opt out

  • 1Choose not to be part of something.

    The UK OPTED OUT of a lot of EU legislation on working hours and conditions.

Usage Examples: fork out, opt out in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

fork out

Example

I had to fork out a lot of money for the car repair.

Example

She forks out a fortune for her designer clothes.

opt out

Example

Many people opt out of receiving promotional emails.

Example

She opts out of the company's health insurance plan.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fork out

shell out

To pay a large sum of money, usually reluctantly or with difficulty.

Example

He had to shell out a lot of money to repair his car after the accident.

cough up

To pay a sum of money, often unwillingly or under pressure.

Example

He had to cough up the money he owed to the bank before they took legal action.

pay through the nose

To pay an excessive or unreasonable amount of money for something.

Example

She had to pay through the nose for her concert tickets because she bought them last minute.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Opt out

withdraw from

To remove oneself from a situation or activity.

Example

He decided to withdraw from the competition because he didn't feel prepared enough.

bow out

To decline or refuse an invitation or opportunity.

Example

She had to bow out of the party because she had a family emergency to attend to.

back out

To withdraw or cancel one's participation in something, often at the last minute.

Example

He had to back out of the project because he realized he didn't have enough time to commit to it.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “opt”

Phrasal Verbs with “out”

Differences in fork out vs opt out: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: fork out or opt out?

In daily conversation, people use opt out more often than fork out. This is because opt out is used in various contexts such as social events, email subscriptions, and legal agreements. On the other hand, fork out is less common and is mainly used when referring to paying a significant amount of money.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of fork out and opt out

Fork out and opt out are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, opt out can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts. In contrast, fork out is not commonly used in formal situations.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of fork out and opt out

The tone of fork out and opt out can differ based on context. Fork out often carries a negative or reluctant tone when referring to paying money, while opt out typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to choosing not to participate in something that is not desirable.

fork out & opt out: Synonyms and Antonyms

Fork out

Synonyms

Opt out

Synonyms

Antonyms

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