What are the definitions of “smoke out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Force someone out of a place they're hiding in.
The police SMOKED the gang OUT and arrested them.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “smoke out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb smoke out is to force someone or something out of a place where they are hiding. This can be done by using smoke or other methods to make the hiding place uncomfortable or unsafe.
What are the different verb forms of “smoke out”?
| Root Verb | smoke out |
| Third Person Singular Present | smokes out |
| Present Participle | smoking out |
| Simple Past | smoked out |
| Past Participle | smoked out |
Example
The firefighters tried to smoke out the trapped animals.
Example
He smokes out the bees from their hive to collect honey.
Example
The police are smoking out the criminals from their hideout.
Example
The villagers smoked out the snake from its hole.
Example
The fugitive was smoked out of his hiding place by the authorities.
What kind of phrasal verb is “smoke 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
“smoke 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 police smoked out the criminals from their hideout.
Example
The firefighters smoked the trapped animals out of the burning building.
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
“smoke 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 police smoked out the criminals from their hideout.
Example
The firefighters smoked the trapped animals out of the burning building.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “smoke out”?
Good things to know
Does “smoke out” have an informal or formal tone?
Smoke out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and even in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
