verbal phr. (common).—1. To make an appearance; to display oneself; to express oneself vigorously; to make an impression (especially in sense 2). Sometimes in an intensified form TO COME OUT STRONG. cf., COME IT STRONG.
[The first quot. is doubtful, but it looks like an anticipation.]
1637. S. RUTHERFORD, Letters, No. 187, vol. I., p. 390 (ed. 1862, 2 vols.). Christ on high, who hath given you eyes to discern the devil now COMING OUT in his whites.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, II., 14. The more he [Clive] worked, the more he was discontented with his performance, somehow; but J. J. was COMING OUT VERY STRONG; J. J. was going to be a stunner.
1865. G. F. BERKELEY, My Life and Recollections, II., 135. Our inclinations to quiz him [Lord Wm. Lennox] on the subject increased, when, in later years, he CAME OUT STRONG in magazines and reviews on sporting adventures, as a sporting writer.
1865. Cornhill Magazine, IV., 218. ‘A county ball.’ The native COMES OUT strong in waistcoats—his array in that respect being gorgeous.
1870. Good Words, xi. April, 248–9, ‘The Hand Nailer.’ In the nailing communities, as elsewhere, woman … manages somehow to ‘COME OUT EXTENSIVELY’ on Sundays.
1847. AYTOUN, How I Stood for the Dreepdaily Burghs, p. 2. Let me confess it—I had of late COME OUT RATHER TOO STRONG. When a man has made money easily, he is somewhat prone to launch into expense.
2. (common).—To turn out: to result; e.g., How did it COME OUT? Cf., COME OFF.
3. (colloquial).—To make a first appearance in society.
TO COME OUT OF THE LITTLE END OF THE HORN, phr. (American).—To fare badly; in allusion to the thin end of the CORNUCOPIA.
