point out

From point and out. Instead of pointing to a particular thing, the term implies pointing to one particular thing out of several similar things, or to a thing in a scene where it might not be readily seen.

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

point out (third-person singular simple present points out, present participle pointing out, simple past and past participle pointed out)

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To identify among a group of similar subjects, or in a scene where the subject might not be readily seen or noticed, with a gesture of the body.

   He pointed out the little brown bird in the tree.

   She pointed out the two drummers in the class.

2. (figuratively, idiomatic) To tell, remind, indicate.

   I would just like to point out that we need to finish our meeting by 9 o'clock.

   • 1962 May, G. Freeman Allen, “Traffic control on the Great Northern Line”, in Modern Railways, page 343:

     As a Hitchin signalman once pointed out to me, when a regulating quandary arises concerning a fast-moving Class A train there is no time to consult Control and get their answer before the express is on one's doorstep.

• outpoint