| English > English |
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| rule out |
| 1. v. To cross an item out by drawing a straight line through it, as with a ruler. |
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| 2. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To reject an option from a list of possibilities. |
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| As John Doe had an alibi, the police were able to rule him out as a suspect. |
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| 3. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To make something impossible. |
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| The constant rain ruled out any chance of a game of tennis. |
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| 4. v. To disallow. |
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| 5. v. To make unavailable. |
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| Analysis |
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| rule |
| 1. n. A regulation, law, guideline. |
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| All participants must adhere to the rules. |
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| 2. n. A ruler; device for measuring, a straightedge, a measure. |
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| 3. n. A straight line (continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like), especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing. |
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| 4. n. A regulating principle. |
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| out |
| See also individual phrasal verbs such as come out, go out, put out, take out, pull out, and so on. |
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| 1. adv. Away from the inside or the centre. |
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| The magician pulled the rabbit out of the hat. |
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| 2. adv. Away from home or one's usual place. |
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| Let's eat out tonight |
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