EAT OUT is a phrase that can be interpreted in multiple ways. One interpretation is to go out and have a meal at a restaurant or other food establishment. Another interpretation is to consume food that has been prepared outside of the home, such as a PICNIC or take-out. The crossword solutions PICNIC (6 letters), ETCH (4 letters), DINE (4 letters), and ERODE (5 letters) all relate to this phrase in different ways. PICNIC refers to the act of eating outdoors, ETCH suggests carving or cutting into something, DINE implies going out to eat, and ERODE implies the gradual wearing away of something. All of these words can be used to describe the act of eating out.