English · Phrasal verb Attested

serve out

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

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To win a set, or by extension a match, by holding serve (winning a game as the server).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thắng một set bằng cách giữ phục vụ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

She held her nerve after failing to serve out the match at the first attempt, seeing three match points slip by in a nervous service game at 6-4 5-4 and recovering from losing the tie-break to dominate the decider.

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 serve the whole of some period.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Hoàn thành toàn bộ một khoảng thời gian

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

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

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To deal out or distribute.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Phân phối hoặc chia đều

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

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

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

to punish, or be revenged on any one.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

trừng phạt hoặc trả thù ai đó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

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.

Topics: Historical slang (1800s)

Common questions

What does “serve out” mean?

To win a set, or by extension a match, by holding serve (winning a game as the server).

Is “serve out” formal or informal?

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