see it out
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To stay out late or early, and see the gas put out. Also to complete an undertaking.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “see it out” mean?
To stay out late or early, and see the gas put out. Also to complete an undertaking.
Is “see it out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.