English · Phrasal verb Attested

poke out

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

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To be barely visible past an obstruction or obstructions; to protrude.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Here’s the Queen, my dears, in her gilt coach, drawn by six horses. Do you see her sceptre poking out of the carriage window? She governs the nation with that.

Quoted attestation: 1886, Wilkie Collins, The Evil Genius, London: Chatto & Windus, Volume 1, Before the Story, Part 4, p. 41,

Sources & notes

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

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To emerge from behind, in, or under something.

Sources & notes

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

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To cause (something) to protrude or emerge.

Sources & notes

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

Common questions

What does “poke out” mean?

To be barely visible past an obstruction or obstructions; to protrude.

Is “poke out” formal or informal?

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