What Does โStick it outโ Mean?
โStick it outโ means to continue doing something difficult or unpleasant until it is finished.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โstick it outโ is commonly used in English to describe the act of enduring a tough situation without giving up. When someone decides to โstick it out,โ they show patience and determination, even if the task or experience is challenging. Understanding the stick it out meaning helps learners express perseverance in both personal and professional contexts. This phrase is often used in conversations about work, school, or any situation where someone faces obstacles but chooses to remain committed until the end.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: stick it out
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to continue despite difficulties
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โStick it outโ is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. The pronoun โitโ refers to the situation, task, or challenge being endured.
Structure pattern:
- Subject + stick it out
- Example: She decided to stick it out until the project was complete.
Note: You cannot separate the phrasal verb by placing words between โstickโ and โit out.โ
How to Use Stick it out?
Use โstick it outโ when talking about staying committed to something hard or unpleasant. It often refers to completing a job, relationship, or situation despite difficulties.
Common contexts include:
- Work or school challenges
- Personal struggles or tough experiences
- Long-term commitments
It shows determination and patience.
Examples
Imagine someone struggling with a difficult course but deciding to finish it. You might say:
โEven though the classes were hard, she chose to stick it out.โ
- I know the job is stressful, but you have to stick it out until the project ends.
- He didnโt like the training, but he stuck it out for six months.
- Sometimes, you just have to stick it out and things will get better.
- They stuck it out through the tough winter and finally saw success.
These examples show how to use stick it out in a sentence naturally.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse โstick it outโ with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly by adding objects.
- Incorrect: I will stick out the meeting. (Wrong use of โstick outโ)
- Correct: I will stick it out through the meeting.
- Incorrect: She stuck out her problems. (Wrong meaning)
- Correct: She decided to stick it out despite her problems.
Remember, โstick it outโ always means to endure, not to leave or avoid something.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include hang on, tough it out, and get through.
- Hang on: Focuses on waiting or holding on, sometimes less about enduring difficulty.
- Tough it out: Very similar, but often implies being strong physically or mentally.
- Get through: Means to survive or complete something, but less about patience and more about completion.
โStick it outโ emphasizes patience and commitment until the end.
Common Collocations
People often use โstick it outโ with situations or periods that are difficult:
- Stick it out a job: Continue working despite challenges.
- Stick it out a relationship: Stay committed despite problems.
- Stick it out a difficult time: Endure a tough period in life.
- Stick it out a course: Finish a study program despite difficulty.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of stick it out:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โstick it outโ:
Anna: This new job is really hard. Iโm thinking of quitting.
Ben: I know itโs tough, but you should stick it out. It gets easier after a while.
Anna: Youโre right. Iโll try to stick it out a bit longer.
Practice
Try to complete this sentence with the correct phrase:
Even though the training was exhausting, she decided to ________ until the end.
- a) stick it out
- b) throw it away
- c) give it up
- d) take it off
FAQ
- What does โstick it outโ mean? It means to continue with something difficult until it is finished.
- Is โstick it outโ separable? No, you cannot separate โstickโ and โit outโ with other words.
- Can I use โstick it outโ in formal writing? Itโs mainly informal but can be used in semi-formal contexts.
- What is the difference between โstick it outโ and โgive upโ? โStick it outโ means to keep going, while โgive upโ means to quit.
- Can โstick it outโ be used for relationships? Yes, it can describe staying committed despite difficulties.
