out of pocket — Paid for with one's own money, especially in a situation where reimbursement might be expected
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: Paid for with one's own money, especially in a situation where reimbursement might be expected
Pronunciation (IPA): /aʊt əv ˈpɑːkɪt/
Example Sentences
- My friend borrowed my umbrella and lost it, so I had to buy a new one out of pocket—thanks a lot!
- Since the school trip wasn't reimbursed, all the snacks I bought were out-of-pocket expenses.
- He accidentally sat on his phone and had to pay $300 out of pocket to fix the screen.
out of pocket
ADJECTIVE[/aʊt əv ˈpɑːkɪt/]
Paid for with one's own money, especially in a situation where reimbursement might be expected

He paid out of pocket for the team's dinner when the company card failed.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Originated in 19th-century English to describe a loss of money, literally money going 'out of one's pocket.'
Breakdown
out (outside/away) + of (belonging to) + pocket (a small money-holding container)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My friend borrowed my umbrella and lost it, so I had to buy a new one out of pocket—thanks a lot!”
“Since the school trip wasn't reimbursed, all the snacks I bought were out-of-pocket expenses.”
“He accidentally sat on his phone and had to pay $300 out of pocket to fix the screen.”
“I'll be out of pocket this afternoon, so please email me instead of calling.”
“Without insurance, medical bills can leave you seriously out of pocket.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.