sing out

Verb

sing out (third-person singular simple present sings out, present participle singing out, simple past sang out, past participle sung out)

1. To cry out, e.g. when in pain.
   • “But I have known men sing out dreadfully when punished; if they had got enough of rum, it would have supported them, and they would not have sung out.” “Not one drop for me, Charley Hunter; I shall not sing out, I promise you, if they cut me to pieces1848, The Autobiography of a Working Man, page 285
   • “My lad,” said Captain Cuttle, “don’t you sing out afore you’re hurt.1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC, page 134
2. To call out; yell.
   • The pilot would sing out, “Ready about ship,” and the seamen would return answer, “Ay, ay, Sir,”—again he would sing out, “All ready,” and would be answered with “All ready, Sir.”1836, Richard Weston, A Visit to the United States and Canada in 1833, page 9
   • Vehemently pausing, he [Ahab] cried:—"What do ye do when ye see a whale, men?" "Sing out for him!" was the impulsive rejoinder from a score of clubbed voices.1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “ch. 36”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC
3. To call out to signal or advise of something, especially when prearranged.
   • I'll be right outside. If you need anything, sing out.
   • Let's both search the house for my wallet. If you find it, sing out.
4. To start singing.
   • I’m gonna sing out: / I sing my song to the wide open spaces, / I sing my heart out to the infinite sea!1971, Pete Townshend, The Song is Over