bowl out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
In cricket, to get rid of a batsman by throwing the ball at the stumps. More generally, to beat or remove someone from competition.
Literal meaning: In bowling (cricket), to send the ball out toward the stumps, resulting in the batsman's dismissal.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
(Cricket) To dismiss a batsman by delivering a ball that hits the stumps, ending their innings.
"The fast bowler bowled out their top three batsmen before lunch."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To defeat or beat someone comprehensively in a competition or argument.
"The experienced debater completely bowled out her opponent with a series of well-prepared facts."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Primarily a cricket term. The figurative use (to defeat or outmaneuver someone) is less common and tends to appear in British English. Not well understood by speakers unfamiliar with cricket.
Commonly used with
batsman team cheaply cheaply opponent side
Forms
Base
bowl out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bowls out
he/she/it
Past simple
bowled out
yesterday
Past participle
bowled out
have + pp
-ing form
bowling out
continuous
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Synonyms
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