copy out

copy out — idiom

1. To write something again exactly as it appears in the original, usually by hand

1.慣用語及物B1
釋義

To write something again exactly as it appears in the original, usually by hand on a separate piece of paper.

例句

The teacher told the class to copy out a poem from the textbook into a notebook.

pattern: copy out + from [source] + into [destination]

Aaron spent the evening copying out his grandmother's sauce recipe to share with his cousins.

同義詞
  • transcribe

    more formal; can refer to copying from speech or audio, not only from writing

  • write out

    less common than 'copy out'; sometimes implies composing from scratch rather than reproducing

  • reproduce

    broader meaning; can refer to drawing, printing, or digital reproduction

文法句型

copy + noun phrase + out

copy out + noun phrase

copy out + from [source] + into [destination]

用法筆記

Common in classroom and study contexts. The phrase implies exact reproduction of the source text, not paraphrasing or summarising. The object is usually a piece of written text (poem, recipe, notes, rules, dates). The particle 'out' can separate from the verb: 'I copied the passage out carefully.'

常見錯誤

❌I copied out the document on the printer.
✅I copied out the document by hand.
💡'copy out' means write by hand, not photocopy or scan.
❌She copied out her friend's idea in her own words.
✅She copied out her friend's idea exactly as written.
💡'copy out' means reproduce word for word, not paraphrase.