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Meaning & use

exit strategy

noun·Advancedbusiness

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UK/ˈeksɪt ˌstrætədʒi/
US/ˈeksɪt ˌstrætədʒi/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablebusiness

    A plan for how and when to leave a situation, such as a business, investment, war or job.

    Grammar: Countable: a clear exit strategy; several exit strategies.

    Patterns

    • an exit strategy for something
    • an exit strategy from something

    The founders wanted an exit strategy before they started the company.

    The government has no clear exit strategy from the conflict.

    Investors asked about the exit strategy for the project.

  2. nouncountableinformal

    A prepared way to leave a difficult or unpleasant situation, such as a social event, with as little trouble as possible.

    Grammar: Informal and humorous in social settings.

    Patterns

    • have an exit strategy

    I always have an exit strategy when I go to my cousin's loud parties.

    Her exit strategy was to say she had an early meeting.

    He texted a friend to call in ten minutes as an exit strategy.

Word forms

pluralexit strategies

Common combinations

have an exit strategy
Always have an exit strategy before you start a risky venture.
clear exit strategy
The board demanded a clear exit strategy.
plan an exit strategy
They planned an exit strategy in case sales dropped.
without an exit strategy
They entered the market without an exit strategy.
exit strategy for
She developed an exit strategy for the investors.

Synonyms and how they differ

way out
Way out is casual and general, while exit strategy implies a planned, deliberate approach.
contingency plan
A contingency plan covers any problem that might arise, but an exit strategy is specifically about leaving.
escape route
An escape route is a physical or literal path, while an exit strategy is usually a plan or approach.
fallback
A fallback is an alternative if something fails, not necessarily a way out.

Opposites

entry strategy

Word family

exit noun
a way out, or the act of leaving
exit verb
to leave a place or situation
strategy noun
a plan to achieve a goal
strategic adjective
carefully planned to help reach a goal

Commonly confused: exit strategy or exit plan?

exit strategy vs exit plan

Exit plan is often a shorter, more personal version; exit strategy sounds more formal and business-like.

Practice

The investors would not fund the startup until the founders showed them an ___.

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