bail out

To help someone escape serious trouble, often by giving them money.

• My dad bailed me out again.
• The government bailed out two failing banks.
• Who will bail the company out if it loses more money?

How to use it: bail someone/something out (The government bailed the airline out.); bail someone out of something (Her parents bailed her out of financial trouble.)

Similar words: rescue, save, help out

Common phrases: bail out banks, bail out someone, bail out companies

To leave or avoid a situation, especially because it has become difficult or unpleasant.

• I might bail out early.
• She bailed out of the project when costs rose.
• Are you going to bail out of the trip again?

How to use it: bail out of something (He bailed out of the deal at the last minute.)

Similar words: pull out, quit, leave

Opposites: stay

Common phrases: bail out early, bail out suddenly

To pay money so an arrested person can leave prison while waiting for their trial.

• Can you bail me out?
• His parents bailed him out of jail.
• She borrowed money to bail her brother out before the trial.

How to use it: bail someone out (His sister bailed him out after his arrest.); bail someone out of jail (They paid to bail their friend out of jail.)

Similar words: post bail for

Common phrases: bail out someone, bail out prisoners

To leave someone without help when they are in trouble.

• Please do not bail out on me.
• Her partner bailed out on her during the crisis.
• They always bail out on us when things get difficult.

How to use it: bail out on someone (His friends bailed out on him when he needed help.)

Similar words: abandon, desert, let down

Opposites: stand by

Common phrases: bail out suddenly, bail out again

To jump from a flying aircraft, usually with a parachute because of danger.

• The pilot had to bail out.
• Two crew members bailed out before the plane crashed.
• Could they bail out safely at that height?

How to use it: bail out of something (The pilot bailed out of the damaged plane.)

Similar words: parachute out, jump out

Common phrases: bail out safely, bail out quickly

To sell some or all of your investments, often to avoid losing money.

• Investors began to bail out.
• She bailed out of shares before the market fell.
• Are you planning to bail out of property and buy gold?

How to use it: bail out of something (Many investors bailed out of technology stocks.)

Similar words: sell out, cash out, divest

Common phrases: bail out early, bail out completely