have an out

Have a means of escape or an excuse, as in I'm supposed to go to the meeting, but I have an out—Sam invited me first to come to his wedding. One can also give someone an out, as in She was hoping someone would give her an out; otherwise she'd be stuck visiting relatives all afternoon. [Slang; early 1900s]

Words nearby have an out

have against, have all one's buttons, have an ax to grind, have an edge on, have an eye for, have an out, have another guess coming, have at, have designs on, have dibs on, have done