on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Types of asphyxiation include: Mechanical asphyxia: A physical force on the outside of the body prevents you from breathing.
—
Korin Miller, Health, 10 May 2024
The windshield was smashed and the hood dented, but the damage didn’t appear to be too extensive on the outside.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2024
For example, some people might inadvertently place more weight on the outside of their foot than the inside, and this uneven distribution can cause a buildup of pressure in the knee that ultimately leads to a cracking sensation and sound, Dr. Chow says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 9 May 2024
Stay away from those giant chickens, which take more time to cook, causing burning on the outside and undercooked chicken on the inside.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024
Tuck 'Silver Falls' on the outside of the other plants in your container, leaving an inch or two of space from the edge.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 May 2024
But Sierra Leone was coming fast on the outside and Forever Young was in between horses with a lot of finish.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
When a person is infected with a flu virus, for example, the virus enters and then binds itself to a protein called a receptor found on the outside of cells.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
Prosectors said the gang controls the majority of white inmates in California prisons, and has a hand in various efforts to traffic methamphetamine and heroin on the outside.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024
Korin Miller, Health, 10 May 2024
The windshield was smashed and the hood dented, but the damage didn’t appear to be too extensive on the outside.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2024
For example, some people might inadvertently place more weight on the outside of their foot than the inside, and this uneven distribution can cause a buildup of pressure in the knee that ultimately leads to a cracking sensation and sound, Dr. Chow says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 9 May 2024
Stay away from those giant chickens, which take more time to cook, causing burning on the outside and undercooked chicken on the inside.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024
Tuck 'Silver Falls' on the outside of the other plants in your container, leaving an inch or two of space from the edge.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 May 2024
But Sierra Leone was coming fast on the outside and Forever Young was in between horses with a lot of finish.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
When a person is infected with a flu virus, for example, the virus enters and then binds itself to a protein called a receptor found on the outside of cells.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
Prosectors said the gang controls the majority of white inmates in California prisons, and has a hand in various efforts to traffic methamphetamine and heroin on the outside.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the outside.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
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