Out of pocket

Meaning

Paid for directly or left without resources.

Usage

Used in finance or when someone is unavailable.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Originally described cash taken from one's pocket; later also meant unreachable.

Accounting and travel contexts in the 20th century adopted the term.