Mete out Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/mɪˈtiː ˈaʊt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To distribute or deal out something, such as justice, punishment, or rewards, in a fair and proper manner.

Examples

• The judge decided to mete out a harsh sentence to the criminal.
• The manager meted out bonuses to the employees based on their performance.
• The school administration meted out punishment to the students who broke the rules.
• The government promised to mete out aid to the affected areas.

Synonyms

• Dole
• Allocate

Antonyms

• Indulge
• Pamper

Additional Information

Meting out justice or punishment requires a fair and impartial approach. In a court of law, the decision to mete out a specific sentence or punishment is typically made by a judge. Outside of legal contexts, meting out rewards or recognition can be a motivating factor for individuals or groups to strive for excellence.

In some cases, meting out punishment or discipline can have a negative impact, leading to feelings of resentment or rebellion. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that any meting out is carried out in a fair and constructive manner.

Etymology

The word “mete out” comes from the Old English words “mītan” meaning “to distribute” and “ūt” meaning “out”. The phrase has been in use since the 14th century.

Usage Notes

Meting out can be used in a variety of contexts, including law, business, education, and personal relationships. It is essential to use the phrase correctly and in a way that does not offend or intimidate others.

Cultural References

Meting out has been referenced in popular culture in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Meting out is often used in combination with other words or phrases to convey a specific meaning. For example, “to mete out justice” or “to mete out punishment”.

Related Words or Phrases

Words or phrases closely related to meting out include distributing, dealing, allotting, and dispensing.

Collocations

Common word combinations with meting out include:

• Meting out justice
• Meting out punishment
• Meting out rewards
• Meting out recognition

Frequency of Use

Meting out is a commonly used phrase, especially in legal and administrative contexts. According to some studies, meting out appears in approximately 1 in every 100,000 words in spoken language.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of meting out include:

• Mete out
• Meteed out
• Met out