master out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To quit a PhD program and earn a master's degree.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Folks who do not pass all their standardized requirements or are otherwise lacking are mastered-out in their first year.
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).
Common questions
What does “master out” mean?
To quit a PhD program and earn a master's degree.
Is “master out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.