on the outside

phrase

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
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Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 With Hoecht looking like a certainty to be healthy enough for Week 1, Danna may be on the outside looking in, as Solomon is the superior special teams player. Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Could the physical Sneed play inside with Delane and second-year pro Nohl Williams on the outside? Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 Brown and Doubs have been regulars on the outside in the first unit with Maye, while Douglas has been the team’s top slot receiver. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on the outside

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Cite this Entry

“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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