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."
separable
bowl out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In cricket, to dismiss a batsman by hitting the stumps with the ball; more broadly, to defeat or eliminate someone.
In plain English
In cricket, to get rid of a batsman by throwing the ball at the stumps. More generally, to beat or remove someone from competition.
What does "bowl out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
In bowling (cricket), to send the ball out toward the stumps, resulting in the batsman's dismissal.
Actually means
In cricket, to get rid of a batsman by throwing the ball at the stumps. More generally, to beat or remove someone from competition.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "bowl out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
batsman team cheaply opponent side
How to conjugate "bowl out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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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