What does the idiom "be out of practice" mean?

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase be out of practice, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression be out of practice used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "be out of practice"

Meaning

When someone is said to be 'out of practice', it means that they lack skill or experience in a particular activity, usually as a result of not having had the opportunity to perform that activity in a while. For example, someone might be said to be "out of practice" when it comes to playing a certain sport if they haven't played it in a while, or if someone hasn't worked in a particular field in a few years, they may be said to be "out of practice" in it.

Etymology

The phrase “out of practice” has been in use since the late 1800s. It is believed to have originated from the medical term “out of practice”, which was used to describe a doctor who had not been actively engaged in the medical profession for some time. Over time, the phrase has come to be used to describe any person who has not been keeping up with any type of activity.

Usage

The phrase “out of practice” is typically used as an adjective in a sentence, as in the following examples: “He has been out of practice for several years.”; “She is out of practice with her music.”; “He is out of practice in his job.” It can also be used as a verb in some cases, such as in the phrase “to be out of practice”. This phrase is often used when talking about physical or mental skills that require regular upkeep and maintenance in order to remain proficient.

Example Sentences

  • "I haven't played tennis in years, so I'm really out of practice."
  • "After taking a break from her job, she found herself out of practice."
  • "She hasn't touched a piano in months, so she's out of practice."

The meanings of the words in the "be out of practice" idiom

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.

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