on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among those on the outside was Mollhagen, who was fired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service on Valentine’s Day.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
The expectation is for Lorenzo Styles to play in the slot, which means Scott should be in line to get more reps on the outside behind both Igbinosun and Mathews heading into the spring.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Here was this megastar at the height of his career, who on the outside was this big ball of energy.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Thompson was murdered, execution-style, in a pre-dawn shooting on the outside the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025
The expectation is for Lorenzo Styles to play in the slot, which means Scott should be in line to get more reps on the outside behind both Igbinosun and Mathews heading into the spring.
—Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Here was this megastar at the height of his career, who on the outside was this big ball of energy.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
Thompson was murdered, execution-style, in a pre-dawn shooting on the outside the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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