1. To be very distant or remote. His new house is really out of the way—it will take us hours to get there.

2. To not be along the planned route. In this usage, a possessive pronoun can be used in place of "the." We can't stop at the bookstore today because it's out of the way, and we have a lot of errands to run. I can't go to her house tonight, it's totally out of my way.

3. To be somewhere where something is not a physical impediment. In this usage, a possessive pronoun can be used in place of "the." Your books need to be out of the way so I can run the vacuum. I'm so glad that those boxes are finally out of my way, and I can actually move around the kitchen.

4. To be completed, finished, or resolved. Often said of something unpleasant. I'll be very happy when this required course in British Literature is out of the way and I can get back to the American poets I love. Now that the financial details are out of the way, let's see which cars you can afford.

5. To be strange or unusual. It's out of the way for my little boy to want to sleep all day, so he must not be feeling well.

6. slang To be dead. This phrase can also be used as a euphemism for being murdered. Now that George is out of the way, we'll be able to take over the company. Frankie needs to be out of the way before he goes to the cops and tells them all about us.

7. slang To be drunk. Do you remember last night at the pub at all? You were out of the way!