Out of pocket is a complicated idiomatic expression because of its multiple meanings. I’ve seen it associated with money, journalism, or extremeness.
Read on as I tell you all about the definitions and origin of the phrase out of pocket in this blog post. You’ll also learn how to use it in a sentence through my examples.
What Does Out of Pocket Mean?
Out of pocket is one of the numerous phrases in the English language whose definition changes according to the context. Most dictionaries associate it with money and spending.
As an adverb, out of pocket may mean from one’s own money instead of with money from another source, like an insurance company. Think of it as an out-of-pocket payment or out-of-pocket price.
When in an adjective form, it means requiring an outlay of cash. We also spell it with hyphens, especially when modifying a noun before it. Like when people say, “out-of-pocket expenses.”
If you’re looking at it as a slang expression, out of pocket means it’s wild or extreme. This definition is widely used on social media and in casual conversations. Use it when someone is saying something too goofy or far that you don’t know how to react to it. I’ve used it to describe many of my book characters when writing!
If you are a journalist, you might know that out of pocket can be used to describe when someone is unreachable. For example, if you cannot contact a reporter, you may say that she is out of pocket.
Origin of Out of Pocket
From what I could find, Columbia Journalism says its earliest recorded use was in 1679: “He was Seven hundred pounds out of pocket.” The publication also uses in pocket around seventy years later, meaning having enough money.
Let’s See Examples of Out of Pocket in Sentences
- I’m sorry, but that service is not covered by insurance, so you’ll be paying for it out of pocket.
- I’m out of pocket for the next hour. Can I call you back later?
- I had to spend a lot of money out of pocket on medical expenses last year.
- I actually don’t have any cash on me, so I have to pay for the meal out of pocket.
- I didn’t expect the repair to be so expensive; it put me out of pocket.
- The out-of-pocket cost of that job will be too much for us to manage.
It also informs insured members about deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses and lists factors that might change what they will have to pay. (Health News)
A Summary of the Phrase Out of Pocket
Now you know the many definitions of out of pocket. These diverse meanings and usages originate from different fields, cultural backgrounds, and geographic locations.
To summarize, out of pocket means:
- From one’s own money instead of with money from another source
- An outlay of cash
- Wild, extreme, or inappropriate
- Unreachable
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