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Meaning & use

carve-outs

noun·Advancedbusiness

Last updated

UK/ˈkɑːv aʊts/
US/ˈkɑːrv aʊts/

“carve-outs” is a form of “carve-out”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    Exceptions written into a rule, agreement or law so that certain people, items or situations are not covered by it.

    Grammar: Plural of carve-out; usually followed by for or from: carve-outs for small firms.

    Patterns

    • a carve-out for someone
    • carve-outs from something

    The new tax law contains several carve-outs for small farms.

    Lawyers argued over the carve-outs in the confidentiality clause.

    Unions want no carve-outs from the minimum wage rules.

  2. nouncountablefinance

    Parts of a company that are separated and sold or listed as a new independent business.

    Grammar: Often used about deals: the carve-outs of two divisions.

    Patterns

    • a carve-out of something

    Investors expect two carve-outs from the conglomerate this year.

    The carve-outs raised cash to pay down debt.

Word forms

singularcarve-out

Common combinations

tax carve-outs
Tax carve-outs let some companies pay less than others.
negotiate carve-outs
The airline negotiated carve-outs for old aircraft.
include carve-outs
The treaty includes carve-outs for emergencies.
narrow carve-outs
Narrow carve-outs make the rule easier to enforce.
carve-outs for
There are carve-outs for charities.

Synonyms and how they differ

exemptions
Exemptions focus on being freed from a duty, while carve-outs stress that a piece was cut out of a larger deal.
exceptions
Exceptions is the plain everyday word and works in any setting, whereas carve-outs sounds like legal or business talk.
loopholes
Loopholes are gaps people exploit, often unintentionally, while carve-outs are deliberate.
spin-offs
Spin-offs describe new companies given to existing shareholders, a narrower use than the business sense of carve-outs.

Opposites

blanket rules

Word family

carve out verb
to create a separate piece or space for something
carve verb
to cut into a shape
carver noun
person who carves

Commonly confused: carve-outs or carve-up?

carve-outs vs carve-up

A carve-up is a division of spoils or territory among people, often unfairly, not an exception to a rule.

Practice

The law applies to every employer, but it has ___ for companies with fewer than ten staff.

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