Can "stick sth out of sth" be used figuratively?

It is mostly used literally to describe physical actions, not figuratively.

Is "stick sth out" the same as "stick sth out of sth"?

"Stick sth out" means to extend something, but "stick sth out of sth" specifies from where it extends.

Can I say "stick out something of something"?

This word order is uncommon and sounds unnatural. Stick to "stick something out of something."

Is this phrasal verb formal or informal?

It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is a common mistake to avoid?

Avoid switching the preposition or word order, such as "stick out of sth something."

Stick sth out of sth Meaning & Examples | How to Use This Phrasal Verb

Mar 4, 2025

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by

Michael Carter

in English Phrasal Verbs

What Does “Stick sth out of sth” Mean?

“Stick sth out of sth” means to push or extend an object so that part of it protrudes from another object or surface.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “Stick sth out of sth” is commonly used when describing the action of pushing something so it partially extends beyond the edge or surface of another thing. For example, you might stick your hand out of a car window or stick a flag out of a tent. Understanding the Stick sth out of sth meaning helps learners describe physical actions clearly and naturally in English. This phrase is useful in daily conversations, storytelling, and descriptive writing.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: Stick something out of something
Type: Transitive
Level: A2–B1
Short meaning: To push part of an object so it extends beyond another object

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Stick sth out of sth” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between “stick” and “out,” or after “out.”

Stick something out of something
Stick out something of something (less common, usually avoid)

Common pattern:

Subject + stick + object + out of + object
Example: She stuck her head out of the window.

How to Use Stick sth out of sth?

Use this phrasal verb to describe situations where part of one object extends beyond another. It often involves body parts, objects, or tools protruding from containers, places, or surfaces.

It is usually used in the present, past, or continuous tenses to show when or how something is extended outward.

Examples

Here are some examples of how to use Stick sth out of sth in a sentence:

He stuck his arm out of the car window to wave at us.
The cat stuck its head out of the basket to look around.
She stuck a flag out of the tent during the camping trip.
Don’t stick your tongue out of the window while the bus is moving.
They stuck a sign out of the shop window to attract customers.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the word order or prepositions when using this phrasal verb. Here are some examples of incorrect versus correct usage:

Incorrect: She stuck out her hand of the car window.
Correct: She stuck her hand out of the car window.
Incorrect: He stuck his arm out the window of the car.
Correct: He stuck his arm out of the car window.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “poke out,” “hang out,” and “lean out.” However, they have subtle differences:

Poke out: Usually means to quickly or sharply push something out, often smaller or thinner parts.
Hang out: Often means to let something dangle or be outside, but not always pushed.
Lean out: Describes a body part extending out by bending or tilting the body.

“Stick sth out of sth” emphasizes the action of pushing or extending something partway out.

Common Collocations

This phrasal verb often pairs with certain objects. Here are common collocations and their meanings:

Stick your head out of (a window): To extend your head beyond a window frame.
Stick an arm out of (a car): To extend your arm outside a vehicle.
Stick a flag out of (a tent): To place a flag so it extends outside a tent.
Stick a sign out of (a shop window): To display a sign outside a window.
Stick fingers out of (a sleeve): To extend fingers beyond the sleeve edge.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of stick sth out of sth:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a natural conversation using “Stick sth out of sth”:

Anna: Look, the cat is sticking its head out of the box again!

Ben: Yeah, it loves to peek outside. Don’t let it stick its paws out too much or it might get hurt.

Practice

Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of the phrasal verb:

She _____ her hand _____ the car window to wave.
The child _____ his tongue _____ the train window.
They _____ a colorful flag _____ the tent during the festival.

FAQ

Q: Can “stick sth out of sth” be used figuratively?
A: It is mostly used literally to describe physical actions, not figuratively.
Q: Is “stick sth out” the same as “stick sth out of sth”?
A: “Stick sth out” means to extend something, but “stick sth out of sth” specifies from where it extends.
Q: Can I say “stick out something of something”?
A: This word order is uncommon and sounds unnatural. Stick to “stick something out of something.”
Q: Is this phrasal verb formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Q: What is a common mistake to avoid?
A: Avoid switching the preposition or word order, such as “stick out of sth something.”