Prise sth out of sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Prise sth out of sb” Mean?

“Prise sth out of sb” means to carefully or forcefully get information or something from someone who is reluctant to give it.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “prise sth out of sb” is commonly used when someone tries to obtain information, a secret, or an object from another person who is unwilling to share it. This expression often suggests a struggle or effort to extract something valuable or hidden. Understanding the “Prise sth out of sb meaning” helps learners use it correctly in conversations, especially when talking about persuasion or interrogation. It is useful in both informal and formal contexts, making it a versatile phrase in everyday English.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Prise sth out of sb (prise something out of somebody)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To get information or something from someone with difficulty

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Prise sth out of sb” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object (sth) can come between “prise” and “out.” The basic pattern is:

• Prise + something + out of + somebody
• Prise out + something + of + somebody (less common)

Examples:

• She tried to prise the truth out of him.
• He managed to prise the secret out of his friend.

How to Use Prise sth out of sb?

Use this phrasal verb when describing situations where someone forces or persuades another person to reveal information or give something. It often implies difficulty or reluctance. It is mostly used in past or present tense and is common in storytelling, reports, or conversations where secrets or hidden facts are involved.

Examples

When I asked him about the surprise party, it was hard to prise the details out of him.

• The detective tried to prise a confession out of the suspect.
• She couldn’t prise the password out of her brother no matter how hard she tried.
• It took hours to prise the truth out of the witness.
• We finally prised the location of the hidden files out of the employee.

These examples show how “Prise sth out of sb in a sentence” is used to describe extracting information or secrets.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the phrase or misuse the word order. Here are examples of incorrect and correct usage:

• Incorrect: I tried to prise out of him the secret.
• Correct: I tried to prise the secret out of him.
• Incorrect: She prised the answer from him.
• Correct: She prised the answer out of him.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “wheedle out of sb,” “extract from sb,” and “drag out of sb.” While all imply getting something from someone, “prise out of sb” suggests a bit more effort or force. “Wheedle out of sb” implies gentle persuasion, while “drag out of sb” suggests a stronger, more forceful effort. “Extract from sb” is more formal and neutral.

Common Collocations

In conversations, some common objects paired with “prise out of sb” are:

• Secret – a hidden fact or information
• Truth – the real facts or reality
• Information – data or details someone is reluctant to share
• Confession – admission of guilt or truth
• Details – specific pieces of information

These collocations help you use the phrasal verb naturally.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of prise sth out of sb:

• Prise Sth From Sb

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “prise sth out of sb”:

Anna: Did you manage to get the secret from Tom?

Ben: Not really. It was hard to prise anything out of him.

Anna: Maybe next time he will open up.

Practice

Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb:

• She finally _______ the truth _______ him after hours of questioning.
• It’s difficult to _______ any information _______ my brother.
• The reporter tried to _______ the details _______ the politician.

FAQ

• Q: Is “prise sth out of sb” formal or informal?
  A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal contexts depending on the situation.
• Q: Can “prise” be spelled as “pry” in this phrase?
  A: “Pry” is a similar verb but is different. “Prise” is more common in British English.
• Q: Can I use “prise out of sb” without an object?
  A: No, you need an object (something) to complete the meaning.
• Q: What is the difference between “prise out of sb” and “get out of sb”?
  A: “Prise out of sb” implies effort or difficulty, while “get out of sb” is more general.
• Q: Is “prise sth out of sb” used in American English?
  A: It is less common in American English; “pry” or “wheedle” might be used instead.