Phrase guide

outside job

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A crime or other illicit action committed by an individual not connected or associated with the premises or organization in which it took place.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: humorous, idiomatic, sarcastic

Topics: criminology, human-sciences, law, sciences

Examples

  • The resource officer suspected the rape incident at our high school coffee shop was an outside job.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: inside job

History

Etymology

From outside + job, by analogy with inside job.