What Does “Deal sb out of sth” Mean?
“Deal sb out of sth” means to prevent someone from getting or having something, often unfairly or by trickery.
Introduction
The phrase “deal sb out of sth” is a common English phrasal verb used when someone is stopped from receiving or enjoying something, usually through unfair means. The deal sb out of sth meaning involves denying a person their rightful share or opportunity, often in business or personal situations. This expression is useful in conversations where you want to describe someone being cheated or excluded from benefits, money, or possessions. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly helps learners express situations of unfair treatment clearly and naturally.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: deal sb out of sth (deal somebody out of something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To prevent someone from getting something, often unfairly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Deal sb out of sth” is a transitive phrasal verb and is inseparable. This means you cannot separate the verb and the particle with the object.
Pattern: deal + somebody + out of + something
Example: They dealt him out of his share.
How to Use “Deal sb out of sth”?
You use “deal sb out of sth” when talking about situations where someone is unfairly or dishonestly stopped from receiving something. This can be money, property, opportunities, or rights. It often implies trickery or deceit.
It is commonly used in past tense (“dealt sb out of sth”) but can be used in other tenses as well.
Examples
- He was dealt out of the inheritance by his greedy siblings.
- The company tried to deal the employees out of their bonuses.
- She felt she was dealt out of the promotion unfairly.
- They dealt him out of his share of the business profits.
- The scam artist dealt many people out of their money.
These examples show “deal sb out of sth in a sentence” clearly and naturally.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: They dealt out him of his money.
- Correct: They dealt him out of his money.
- Incorrect: She was dealt out the prize.
- Correct: She was dealt out of the prize.
Remember, the object (sb) must come directly after “deal,” and “out of” must stay together.
Differences / Synonyms
“Deal sb out of sth” is similar to “cheat sb out of sth” or “rip sb off,” but it is less harsh than “rip off.”
- Cheat sb out of sth: Also means to unfairly take something from someone but often suggests more deliberate dishonesty.
- Rip sb off: Means to overcharge or cheat someone financially, usually more informal and negative.
- Deal sb out of sth: Focuses on denying or excluding someone from something, often in a business or legal context.
Common Collocations
- deal sb out of money
- deal sb out of inheritance
- deal sb out of profits
- deal sb out of shares
- deal sb out of opportunity
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of deal sb out of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard John didn’t get his part of the inheritance.
Mark: Yes, his siblings dealt him out of it unfairly.
Anna: That’s terrible! He should have gotten his share.
Mark: Exactly, but they found a way to exclude him.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “deal sb out of sth”:
- They __________ him __________ his bonus last year.
- She felt __________ out of the promotion.
- The manager tried to __________ the workers __________ their overtime pay.
FAQs
- Q: Is “deal sb out of sth” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly used in informal and semi-formal contexts.
- Q: Can “deal sb out of sth” be used in the passive voice?
A: Yes, for example, “He was dealt out of the inheritance.”
- Q: What is the difference between “deal sb out of sth” and “take away from sb”?
A: “Deal sb out of sth” implies unfairness or trickery, while “take away from sb” is more neutral.
- Q: Can “deal sb out of sth” refer to opportunities?
A: Yes, it can refer to denying someone opportunities.
- Q: Is “deal sb out of sth” common in spoken English?
A: Yes, especially in conversations about unfair treatment.
