Meaning of serve out | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To win a set, or by extension a match, by holding serve (winning a game as the server).
   transitive
2. To serve the whole of some period.
   transitive
3. To deal out or distribute.
   transitive
4. To pay back; to have one's revenge on.
   archaic, transitive

Examples

“She held her nerve after failing to serve out the match at the first attempt, seeing three match points slip by in a nervous service game at 6-4 5-4 and recovering from losing the tie-break to dominate the decider.”

“The politician did not serve out his term.”

“The waiters served out soup to the guests.”

“'Yar!' said she, 'you little meddlesome wretch, I have you now! I will serve you out for telling the salmon where I was!'”

CEFR level