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
His upper body was on the outside of a wall; his feet did not touch the floor on the interior.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
Over a couple weeks in shells and shorts, Moss has remained at his usual starting CB2 slot on the outside of the Broncos’ defense.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
Once so glorious on the outside, but now sinking more and more into oblivion.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
There are a couple of gear tabs on the outside of the pack that occasionally get in the way of the main compartment’s zipper.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
Over a couple weeks in shells and shorts, Moss has remained at his usual starting CB2 slot on the outside of the Broncos’ defense.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
Once so glorious on the outside, but now sinking more and more into oblivion.
—Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
There are a couple of gear tabs on the outside of the pack that occasionally get in the way of the main compartment’s zipper.
—Graham Averill, Outside Online, 6 June 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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