Are there any cases where "out of" is dead wrong or sounds awkward?

Question

The question about "he looked out the window" vs. "he looked out of the window" has already been asked and answered satisfactorily: apparently it's a matter of taste and de gustibus non est disputandum.

Now English is admirably flexible but it cannot be infinitely flexible, hence my question: are there any specific cases where I should better opt for the "out of" or rather for the bare "out" lest I sound like the well-meaning illiterate I really am?

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OK, after two days of silence I gather that there's no easy rule of thumb, thus one can rely only on his own Sprachgefühl. Anyway thanks for trying.

Answer 1

This is a hypothesis. I haven't found any authoritative source, but neither have I found any counter-examples.

I think there are 3 descriptive rules at play:

1. If the sentence uses "out" in reference to the enclosure that is being exited, "of" is always used:

   • Move out of my apartment. (Not "Move out my apartment.")
   • Get out of the armed forces. (Not "Get out the armed forces.")
   • Walk out of a relationship. (Not "Walk out a relationship.")
   • Get out of Dodge. (Not "Get out Dodge.")
   • Get out of the car. (Not, "Get out the car.")
   • Air leaked out of the balloon. (I have heard expressions similar to "Air leaked out the balloon" or "Water leaked out the tub." But they have an unsophisticated feel.)

2. If the sentence uses "out" in reference to the portal used to exit the enclosure, then "of" is often omitted:

   • Walk out the door.
   • Look out the window.
   • Air leaked out the hole.
   • Water gushed out the drain

3. Even when referring to a portal, "of" can mean "through." So you can optionally include "of" if you want to emphasize the portal in some way:

   • Walk out of the door.
   • Look out of the window.
   • Air leaked out of the hole.
   • Water gushed out of the drain.