The phrasal verb "talk out of" is predominantly used in informal speech and conversations. It is commonly employed when someone persuades another person not to do something, often by presenting reasons or arguments until the other party is convinced to change their decision or intention. For example, "She talked him out of quitting his job." This phrase is rarely found in formal writing unless it is used in a dialogue or to convey a conversational tone, particularly in fiction or informal communication like emails or personal blogs. The structure of "talk out of" typically involves a subject, the phrasal verb, and an object, highlighting the shift induced by communication. It is an example of how language dynamically captures everyday interactions and the nuances of verbal persuasion.
B1
Intermediate
1. To persuade someone not to do something by reasoning or arguing.
She tried to talk him out of quitting his job.
He was talked out of getting a tattoo by his friends.
They talked the team out of changing the marketing strategy.
I talked my brother out of going out during the storm.