buy out

To pay for a company or someone’s share of it so that you own it.

• A large company bought out our business.
• She plans to buy out her partner next year.
• Would you sell if a rival offered to buy you out?

How to use it: buy someone/something out (A larger firm bought our company out.)

Similar words: acquire, take over

Common phrases: buy out someone, buy out a company

To buy all the goods that someone has available.

• They bought out the shop’s entire stock.
• Fans bought the seller out of posters within minutes.
• A local restaurant has bought out all our tomatoes.

How to use it: buy someone out of something (One customer bought the baker out of bread.)

Similar words: buy up

Common phrases: buy out everything, buy out someone

To pay someone money to end their contract before the agreed time.

• The club bought out his contract.
• Her employer agreed to buy her out of the remaining year.
• They may buy out the actor’s contract before filming starts.

How to use it: buy out someone’s contract (The club bought out the coach’s contract.)

Common phrases: buy out a contract, buy out someone

To pay money so that someone is allowed to leave military service.

• His family bought him out of the army.
• In those days, wealthy parents could buy out an enlisted son.
• The soldier hoped his uncle would buy him out of military service.

How to use it: buy someone out of something (His parents bought him out of the army.)

Common phrases: buy out a soldier, buy out someone