What are the definitions of “buy out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Buy somebody's share in a company.
His business partners BOUGHT him OUT to get rid of him.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “buy out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb buy out is to purchase someone's share or interest in a company or partnership. This often happens when one partner wants to leave the business or when the other partners want to remove someone from the company.
What are the different verb forms of “buy out”?
| Root Verb | buy out |
| Third Person Singular Present | buys out |
| Present Participle | buying out |
| Simple Past | bought out |
| Past Participle | bought out |
Example
They plan to buy out their competitor's shares.
Example
She buys out her partner's shares in the business.
Example
He is buying out his partner's stake in the company.
Example
Last year, they bought out the minority shareholders.
Example
The majority shareholder has bought out the others.
What kind of phrasal verb is “buy out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“buy out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The company bought out the smaller competitor.
Example
He bought his partner out of the business.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“buy out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The company bought out the smaller competitor.
Example
He bought his partner out of the business.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “buy out”?
A financial transaction in which one party purchases the ownership of a company or a significant portion of its shares.
Example
The buyout of the smaller company was completed last month.
Management buyout (MBO)
A type of buyout where the management team of a company purchases the business from its current owners.
Example
The CEO led a successful management buyout of the company.
Good things to know
Does “buy out” have an informal or formal tone?
Buy out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in business and financial settings, as well as in everyday conversations.
