Dictionary of English - bail or bale

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To bail someone out is to provide cash to get them out of prison, or more generally to help them out of a difficult situation, especially a financial one: I had to borrow £500 to bail John out; If you hadn't bailed me out last year I don't know what I would have done. To bail water out is to scoop it out with a bucket or other container: We bailed out the water that was coming into the boat. To bale out is to jump from an aircraft: The pilot had to bale out when the engine failed. However, bail is also used in this last sense, especially in the US: The pilot bailed out.

The Union Jack marks New Zealand's historical links with Britain. The stars represent the Southern Cross. Effective date: 12 June 1902. >>