take it out
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
To obtain value for money, labour, &c. A rich man is said to "TAKE IT (i.e., his money) OUT in fine footmen, fine feeding," &c. A poor man "TAKES IT (i.e., his trouble) OUT in drink."
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 “take it out” mean?
To obtain value for money, labour, &c. A rich man is said to "TAKE IT (i.e., his money) OUT in fine footmen, fine feeding," &c. A poor man "TAKES IT (i.e., his trouble) OUT in drink."
Is “take it out” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.