1 C1 idiomatic neutral
To dismiss an entire cricket batting side in quick succession, often for a very low total score.
"England's fast bowlers skittled out the opposition for just 68 runs before lunch."
separable
skittle out
C1 neutral separable transitive
In cricket, to dismiss a batting side quickly and for a low score, one after another.
In plain English
In cricket, to get all the batters out very quickly, like knocking over bowling pins.
What does "skittle out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To knock over like skittles (bowling pins) — the batsmen fall one after another like pins.
Actually means
In cricket, to get all the batters out very quickly, like knocking over bowling pins.
Usage tip
Specific to cricket. Used primarily in British and Commonwealth English (UK, Australia, India, South Africa). The metaphor comes from skittles (a bowling game). Often appears in sports journalism and commentary.
Words that pair with "skittle out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
side team cheaply quickly batting lineup for a low score
How to conjugate "skittle out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
skittle out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
skittles out
he/she/it
Past simple
skittled out
yesterday
Past participle
skittled out
have + pp
-ing form
skittling out
continuous
Hear "skittle out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "skittle out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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