What Does “Take sb out of themselves” Mean?
“Take sb out of themselves” means to distract or remove someone from their usual thoughts or feelings, often causing them to feel different or surprised.
Introduction
The phrase “Take sb out of themselves” is used when someone is emotionally or mentally shifted from their normal state. It can happen when a person is surprised, shocked, or deeply moved. Understanding the “Take sb out of themselves” meaning helps English learners express situations where feelings or thoughts are interrupted. This phrasal verb is commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe moments when someone’s usual mindset is changed by an external event or experience.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take sb out of themselves (take somebody out of themselves)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To distract or emotionally unsettle someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
This phrasal verb is transitive, so it always needs an object (someone).
- Correct pattern: take + somebody + out of themselves
- It is inseparable; you cannot place the object between “take” and “out.”
- Example: He took her out of herself with the unexpected news.
How to Use Take sb out of themselves?
Use this phrase when describing how an event or person causes someone to lose focus or feel emotionally unsettled. It often relates to strong emotions, such as surprise, fear, or deep thought. You can use it in formal or informal contexts to show how someone’s normal mental state is interrupted.
Examples
Imagine a friend hearing shocking news. You can say:
- “The sudden loud noise took him out of himself.”
- “Her kind words took me out of myself and made me think differently.”
- “The movie was so moving, it really took me out of myself.”
- “When the teacher asked a difficult question, it took the student out of himself.”
- “The unexpected compliment took her out of herself for a moment.”
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the phrase or use it incorrectly by separating the object or changing the prepositions.
- Incorrect: Take out her of herself.
- Correct: Take her out of herself.
- Incorrect: Take someone from themselves.
- Correct: Take someone out of themselves.
Remember, the object must come directly after “take,” and “out of themselves” stays together.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “take someone away from themselves” or “take someone out of their mind,” but these are less common or slightly different in meaning.
- Take sb away from themselves: More poetic, meaning to distance someone emotionally.
- Throw sb off: Means to confuse or surprise but less emotional.
- Distract sb: More general, not always emotional.
“Take sb out of themselves” focuses more on emotional or mental disruption rather than simple distraction.
Common Collocations
This phrasal verb is often used with words related to emotions or thoughts. Here are common objects:
- Take someone out of themselves with surprise: To shock or surprise someone.
- Take someone out of themselves with grief: To emotionally unsettle someone deeply.
- Take someone out of themselves with joy: To overwhelm with happiness.
- Take someone out of themselves with fear: To frighten or disturb.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take sb out of themselves:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrase naturally:
Anna: Did you see how the speech took John out of himself?
Mark: Yes, he looked really surprised and lost in thought afterward.
Anna: I think it made him rethink his whole approach.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:
- The sudden noise __________ him __________ __________.
- Her kind words really __________ me __________ __________.
- The shocking news __________ her __________ __________ for a while.
FAQ
- What does “Take sb out of themselves” mean? It means to emotionally or mentally distract or unsettle someone.
- Is “Take sb out of themselves” formal or informal? It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Can I separate the phrasal verb? No, the object must come right after “take,” and “out of themselves” stays together.
- What emotions are usually involved? Surprise, fear, grief, joy, or deep thought are common emotions.
- Are there similar phrases? Yes, like “take someone away from themselves,” but “take sb out of themselves” is more common.
