lit out
Took off in a hurry; left fast.
Also called light out.
Updated September 24, 2026
lit out pronunciation
/LIT owt/
Meaning
Past tense of light out: to leave quick, like you got a fire under you. Somebody lit out for home, lit out down the road, or lit out before trouble caught up. Rural Southern and South Midland talk uses it for a sudden departure, not a polite goodbye.
How folks use it
- “When he heard the dogs, he lit out for the woods.”
- “She lit out of that meeting before anybody could ask her another question.”
Origin and etymology
American slang from the mid-1800s. DARE marks light out as especially South Midland. Mark Twain made "light out for the Territory" famous in Huckleberry Finn. Some trace light out to older nautical talk about hauling sail, then it shifted to take off on land.
Frequently asked questions
Is lit out the same as lights out?
No. Lit out means left in a hurry. Lights out means bedtime or the lights got turned off.