pop out

You leave a place for a short time and expect to come back soon.

• I need to pop out.
• He popped out for a coffee.
• Can you answer the phone while I pop out to buy lunch?

How to use it: pop out for something (I will pop out for some bread.); pop out to do something (She popped out to buy milk.)

Similar words: step out, nip out

Common phrases: pop out briefly, pop out for lunch, pop out to someone

Something comes out suddenly, often with a short sound, or you make it come out.

• The cork popped out.
• A button popped out of its hole.
• Push here to pop the battery out.

How to use it: pop out of something (A spring popped out of the box.); pop something out (She popped the plastic piece out with her thumb.)

Similar words: spring out

Common phrases: pop out suddenly, pop out a cork

A part of your body suddenly moves out of its proper place, or you cause this to happen.

• My shoulder popped out.
• He popped out his knee when he fell.
• Has that joint ever popped out before?

How to use it: pop out something (He popped out his shoulder during practice.); pop out of something (Her shoulder popped out of its socket.)

Similar words: dislocate

Common phrases: pop out a shoulder, pop out suddenly

A small window or menu suddenly appears on a computer screen for a short time.

• A menu pops out.
• A help window popped out when I clicked the icon.
• Does the settings panel pop out automatically?

How to use it: pop out when… (A small menu pops out when you click the arrow.)

Similar words: pop up, appear

Opposites: disappear

Common phrases: pop out automatically, pop out on screen

A woman gives birth to a baby, described in a very casual way.

• She joked about popping out babies.
• They expected her to pop out a baby every year.
• I cannot just pop out kids whenever you want!

How to use it: pop out someone (She joked that she would pop out another baby next year.)

Similar words: give birth

Common phrases: pop out babies, pop out a baby, pop out kids

You are put out in baseball after three strikes, with a high, short hit on the last strike.

• He popped out on strike three.
• The batter popped out on a foul bunt with two strikes.
• She popped out to the catcher on her third strike.

How to use it: pop out to someone (He popped out to the catcher on his third strike.)

Common phrases: pop out bunting, pop out to catcher