phase out of

phase out of (something)

1. To remove someone or something from some status, situation, mode, or role very gradually or in increments. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "phase" and "out of." The board of directors agreed to phase the controversial CEO out of his position. The government announced that it will be phasing taxpayers out of the single-payer healthcare system over the next 12 months.
2. To disappear from some space or location by traveling another dimension or plane of existence. Used primarily in fantasy and science fiction. His quantum state had become unstable, and he began phasing out of our reality at random.
See also: of, out, phase
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

phase someone or something out of something

 and phase someone or something out
to work someone or something out of use or service or out of a group gradually. We are going to have to phase you out of the job of treasurer. They phased out the unneeded workers.
See also: of, out, phase
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • orient
  • orient to
  • orient to (something)
  • spiff up
  • spiffed up
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • angle
  • angling
  • rescue from
References in periodicals archive
provisions included the phase out of personal exemptions (PEP) and
WHEN ECONOMICS MAKES BAD TAX POLICY: TAX PHASE-OUTS
"There is a dollar for dollar phase out of the deduction if your total asset acquisitions for the year exceed $560,000," he advises.
Depreciate, defer & deduct: end of year tax planning
The effect of either immediate repeal or a long-term phase out of the transfer tax on state revenues, Federal revenue, and income tax erosion raises concerns that should be considered and addressed.
AICPA study on reform of the estate and gift tax system
The phase out of personal exemptions for high income taxpayers is likewise slated to expire shortly.
America's growing budget deficit
The combined effect of the phase out of the itemized deductions and exemptions is that the effective marginal rates in the bubble will be even higher than that shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Bursting the bubble: tax planning in the '90s