Colloquial for being fired or being expelled from a place, for example from a job, a school, or an apartment.
example
Wegen seiner ständigen Verspätungen ist er aus der Firma rausgeflogen.
Because of his constant lateness, he got kicked out of the company.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Rausfliegen' (to get kicked out / to fly out) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'raus' stands at the end; in a subordinate clause, it remains attached to the verb; and in the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' goes in the middle.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Lärm fliege ich gleich aus der Bibliothek raus.
With this noise, I'm about to get kicked out of the library.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'rausfliegen' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein'. This applies to both the literal and figurative meanings, because it always describes a movement or a change of state.
EXAMPLE
Der Schmetterling ist aus dem Fenster rausgeflogen.
The butterfly flew out of the window.
Colloquial style
This verb clearly belongs to colloquial speech. In formal or written contexts, you would instead use, for example, 'entlassen werden' (to be dismissed/fired), 'gekündigt werden' (to be given notice/fired), or 'die Verbindung verlieren' (to lose the connection).
EXAMPLE
Wenn du nochmal zu spät kommst, fliegst du raus!
If you're late one more time, you're out!
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'rausfliegen' from the context. If it's about a job, school, or apartment, it means 'entlassen werden' (to be dismissed/fired). In connection with animals, it should be understood literally. With technology, it is about losing a connection.
EXAMPLE
Der Papagei ist aus dem offenen Käfig rausgeflogen.
The parrot flew out of the open cage.
Compare with
synonym · confusable
rausfliegen vs fliegen
to fly
'fliegen' and 'rausfliegen' can mean almost the same thing colloquially: someone is removed from a school, a job, or another institution. 'rausfliegen' makes the idea of being sent out clearer and often sounds a bit more direct. 'fliegen' can only be understood in this sense from context because it has many other meanings. Learners may confuse the words because both work similarly in sentences like 'Er ist aus der Schule geflogen' (he got kicked out of school). In clear colloquial language, 'rausfliegen' is often less ambiguous.
rausfliegen
Herr Wagner fliegt raus, wenn er wieder ohne Entschuldigung fehlt.
Mr. Wagner will get kicked out if he is absent again without an excuse.
fliegen
Nach dem Streit mit dem Chef ist Tom aus der Firma geflogen.
After the argument with his boss, Tom got kicked out of the company.