General
sound out
What does sound out mean?
A solid, reliable, good-hearted person. In Ireland 'sound' on its own already means decent or trustworthy — sticking 'out' on the end intensifies it into a proper character endorsement. Calling someone a sound out is about as warm as Irish praise gets without anyone getting embarrassed.
"Ah Mick? He's a sound out — gave me a lift home and wouldn't take a fiver for petrol."
Origin
Extension of Hiberno-English 'sound' (good, reliable), itself from older British slang for something solid or trustworthy. The 'out' tag is an Irish intensifier pattern, similar to 'gas out' or 'mad out'.
Frequently asked questions
What does "sound out" mean in Irish slang?
It describes a genuinely decent, trustworthy person — one of the highest compliments in Ireland, delivered with minimum fuss.
How do you use "sound out" in a sentence?
"He gave me a lift home without even asking — he's a sound out."
Is "sound out" a compliment?
Yes, very much so. Calling someone a sound out is high praise, marking them as reliable and good-natured.
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