flow out
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.
flow out
1. To rush out of something, as of a liquid. I pulled out the bathtub's stopper, causing the water to flow out. I'm no plumber, but all of the water flowing out of that pipe doesn't seem like a good sign. Be careful—steam is going to flow out of that pot as soon as you move the lid.
2. By extension, to move or spill quickly out of someone in a fluid, effortless manner. I couldn't stop myself, even though I knew I was rambling—the words just kept flowing out. I didn't mean to say a bad word in front of Grandma, it just flowed out! Do not give that man a microphone—once the words start flowing out, they just don't stop!
3. To move quickly out of some place or thing in large numbers. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, kids began flowing out. Employees flowed out of the building at the sound of the fire alarm. I bet the 11:30 Mass just ended—look at all the people flowing out of church.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
flow out
(of something)1. Lit. to course out of something. The apple juice flowed out of the press as we turned the crank. It stopped flowing out when we had crushed the apples totally.
2. Fig. [for people] to issue forth from something. The people flowed out of the stadium exits. At the end of the game, the people flowed out in a steady stream.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.