out of the red
Having reached solvency; no longer in debt.
Under the new management, our company finally got out of the red.
out of the running
Having no chance to win; not among the real contenders; not among those to be considered.
John had been out of the running since his first date with Mary, but he didn't realize it.
Jones's horse was put out of the running early in the race.
out of the swim
Not doing what others are doing; not active in business or social affairs.
Mary had to stay home and take care of Mother while she was sick, and soon felt out of the swim.
The toy manufacturer who is out of the swim will lose money.
out of the way
get out of the way
put one out of the way
Not where people usually go; difficult to reach.
When little Tommy comes to visit her, Aunt Sally puts her lamps and vases out of the way.
Often used with hyphens before a noun.
Gold was found in an out-of-the-way village in the mountains, and soon a good road and airfield were built.
Jack and Fred found an old gun in an out-of-the-way corner of the empty house.
Not what is usual or proper; strange.
To leave before the guest of honor would be out of the way.
I'm sorry if I said something out of the way.
The night watchman looked around the building, but he saw nothing out of the way.
Not able to stop or bother you.
Tommy wished the visitors were out of the way so that he could have the candy for himself.
out of thin air
Out of nothing or from nowhere.
The teacher scolded Dick because his story was made out of thin air.
On the way home from town, Tom saw a house standing on the lot that had been empty that morning; it seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
out of this world
Wonderfully good or satisfying; terrific; super.
The dress in the store window was out of this world!
Mother was on TV last night. Isn't that out of this world?
out of touch with
Not writing or talking with each other; not getting news anymore; not having contact; not having knowledge of.
Fred had got out of touch with people in his hometown.
On his island Robinson Crusoe was out of touch with world news.
Marge and I had been out of touch for years, but then suddenly she called me up the other day.
Larry has been so busy that he seems out of touch with world events.
out of town
Having left one's usual residence or place of work on a longer trip.
"Mr. Smith is out of town until Monday," the secretary said. "May I take a message?"