inside out

adverb

1

: in such a manner that the inner surface becomes the outer

turned the shirt inside out

2

: to a thorough degree

knows the subject inside out

3

: in or into a state of disarray often involving drastic reorganization

turned the business inside out

Synonyms

• completely
• comprehensively
• detailedly
• exhaustively
• fully
• minutely
• roundly
• sweepingly
• systematically
• thoroughly
• through and through
• totally

Examples of inside out in a Sentence

after 20 years of employment there, he has come to know the company inside out

Recent Examples on the Web

Two people who know each other’s tennis inside out should make a good partnership, and two people who know elite tennis inside out should be capable of great things over hijinks. —Ben Burrows, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

Now, red underwear for New Year’s Eve is a common ritual; they are often worn inside out and put on the right way after midnight, or thrown out entirely after midnight, signaling a fresh start mentality for the year ahead. —Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024

Turning them inside out can protect them from dye transfer and shield them from rougher items, such as buttons and zippers, on other clothes. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2025

How to Wash a Silk Pillowcase by Hand Start by flipping your pillowcase inside out. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inside out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

inside out

adverb

1

: in such a way that the inner surface becomes the outer

2

: to a thorough degree

knows the family history inside out