What Does “Ship sb out” Mean?
“Ship sb out” means to send someone away, usually to another place, often quickly or without much notice.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Ship sb out” is commonly used in informal English to describe the act of sending someone somewhere else, typically by transport. This could be for work, relocation, or sometimes to get rid of a person quickly. Understanding the “Ship sb out” meaning helps learners use it correctly in conversations and writing. It often implies urgency or a decision made by others rather than the person being sent. This phrase is useful in both casual and professional contexts.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Ship somebody out
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To send someone away to another place
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Ship sb out” is a separable phrasal verb.
- Correct pattern: ship somebody out
- You can separate the object: ship somebody out or ship out somebody
- Example: They shipped the new employees out yesterday. / They shipped out the new employees yesterday.
How to Use Ship sb out?
You use “Ship sb out” when talking about sending a person to a different place. It is often used when the person is sent away quickly or as part of a decision made by others. It can be used in formal and informal situations, such as companies relocating staff or families sending children to another city.
Examples
When the company needed to open a new branch, they decided to ship some employees out to manage it.
- They shipped out the new recruits to the overseas office last week.
- The school shipped the students out to different campuses during the renovation.
- After the incident, the manager shipped him out to another department.
- They often ship workers out to remote locations for special projects.
Here is how to use “Ship sb out” in a sentence: “The company decided to ship her out to the New York office to handle the new project.”
Common Mistakes
Some learners confuse “Ship sb out” with “ship out” (which means to leave or depart). Also, forgetting to include the person being sent can cause confusion.
- Incorrect: They shipped out yesterday. (means they left)
- Correct: They shipped the workers out yesterday. (means they sent the workers away)
- Incorrect: Ship out him now.
- Correct: Ship him out now.
Differences / Synonyms
“Ship sb out” is similar to “send sb away” or “transfer sb.” However, “ship sb out” often implies using transportation and sometimes urgency or force.
- Send sb away: More general, can be voluntary or involuntary.
- Transfer sb: Usually formal, especially at work or school.
- Ship sb out: Informal, often used in business or informal settings, with a sense of urgency.
Common Collocations
Here are some common objects used with “Ship sb out” and their explanations:
- Employees: Workers sent to another office or location.
- Students: Learners sent to different schools or campuses.
- Recruits: New members sent for training or deployment.
- Workers: Staff sent to different job sites.
- Prisoners: People sent to other prisons or facilities.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of ship sb out:
Real-life Dialogue
Talking about sending staff to a new location:
Anna: Did you hear they shipped John out to the London office?
Mark: Yes, they needed someone experienced there quickly.
Anna: I guess it’s a big opportunity for him.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence with the correct form of “ship sb out”.
- The company decided to ________ the new hires ________ to the remote site.
- After the meeting, they ________ the manager ________ to the other branch.
FAQ
- Q: Can “Ship sb out” be used in formal writing?
A: It is more informal but can be used in business contexts. - Q: Is “Ship sb out” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “ship” and “out”. - Q: Does “Ship sb out” always mean sending someone far away?
A: Usually, but it can mean any relocation by transport. - Q: What is the difference between “Ship sb out” and “Ship out”?
A: “Ship sb out” means send someone away; “Ship out” means to leave. - Q: Can “Ship sb out” be used for animals or objects?
A: It is mostly used for people.
