1 B2 neutral
(Golf) For a putt to go around the edge of the cup without dropping in.
"His birdie putt rimmed out at the 18th hole, costing him the tournament."
inseparable
rim out
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In golf and basketball, for a ball to hit the rim or edge of the hole/hoop and bounce out without scoring.
In plain English
When a ball almost goes into the hole or basket but spins around the edge and falls out — a near-miss.
What does "rim out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(Basketball) For a shot to circle the rim of the basket and fail to go through.
"The three-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing their defeat."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To go around the rim and come out.
Actually means
When a ball almost goes into the hole or basket but spins around the edge and falls out — a near-miss.
Usage tip
Used in sports commentary, specifically golf and basketball. In golf, refers to a putt that circles the cup without dropping in. In basketball, refers to a shot that circles the rim and falls out. A frustrating but common sporting occurrence.
Words that pair with "rim out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
putt ball shot cup hole basket hoop
How to conjugate "rim out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rim out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rims out
he/she/it
Past simple
rimed out
yesterday
Past participle
rimed out
have + pp
-ing form
riming out
continuous
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