Stick out means to come out beyond a surface: out of a pocket, a bag, a wall. The second meaning is to be very noticeable, often as something that doesn't fit in. With an object, it means to push part of your body out: stick your head out of the window.
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stick out (of + place); stick + tongue/head + out; stick out like a sore thumb
- A pen was sticking out of his jacket pocket during the whole meeting.
- In my bright orange coat, I stuck out like a sore thumb at the formal dinner.
What changed
First versionThe boy showed me his tongue and ran away.
RevisionThe boy stuck his tongue out at me and ran away.
Show me your tongue is what a doctor says: it's a literal display. The rude, teasing gesture is different: stick your tongue out at someone. So showed me his tongue was replaced with stuck his tongue out at me.
Stand out also means to be noticeable, but usually in a good way. Her essay stood out: it was clearly better than the others. Stick out is more often about something that doesn't fit and looks out of place: I stuck out like a sore thumb, and everyone could see I didn't belong.
Your turn
Be careful: there's a nail ___ of that old board.
Show the answer
sticking out — The nail physically pokes out of the board, so sticking out. Stand out means to be noticeable; it isn't used with of about an object poking out of something.
Describe a time you felt awkward because you looked different from everyone around you. Say where it was and how you were different.
At my first business conference, I stuck out in my jeans and trainers because everyone else was wearing suits.
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