1 B2 neutral
In basketball: to be disqualified from a game by accumulating the maximum number of personal fouls allowed.
"The star player fouled out in the third quarter, leaving the team at a disadvantage."
inseparable
foul out
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In sports, to be removed from a game for committing too many fouls.
In plain English
Be sent off a sports game because you broke the rules too many times.
What does "foul out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
In baseball: to be put out by hitting a foul ball that is caught by a fielder.
"The batter fouled out to the catcher on the very first pitch."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To be put out (eliminated) by committing fouls.
Actually means
Be sent off a sports game because you broke the rules too many times.
Usage tip
Primarily a basketball and American football term. In basketball, a player fouls out after committing five or six personal fouls, depending on the league. In American football, it can refer to being ejected for repeated penalties.
Words that pair with "foul out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
player game quarter half fouled personal fouls
How to conjugate "foul out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
foul out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fouls out
he/she/it
Past simple
fouled out
yesterday
Past participle
fouled out
have + pp
-ing form
fouling out
continuous
Hear "foul out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "foul out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.