English · Phrasal verb Attested

earn out

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To qualify for a bonus or other amount of money that has been promised.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Đạt đủ điều kiện để nhận tiền thưởng hoặc số tiền đã hứa

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Such amounts are payable in succeeding years but only if earned out by the employee by continuing service to M, at the rate of Math of the amount of the first installment for each complete month of service.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To make more money from a book than it cost to run an advertising campaign for it; to make enough in royalties to cover the advance a book received.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Kiếm được nhiều tiền từ một cuốn sách hơn chi phí chạy quảng cáo cho nó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “earn out” mean?

To qualify for a bonus or other amount of money that has been promised.

Is “earn out” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.