1 B1 neutral
To draw a line through written text to show it should be deleted.
"Strike out the last sentence — it doesn't fit the paragraph."
separable
strike out
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To delete something written, to fail (especially in baseball), to begin an independent journey, or to attack.
In plain English
To cross out writing, to fail at something, to start out on your own, or to try to hit someone.
What does "strike out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
(Baseball) To fail to hit the ball three times and be dismissed, or (of a pitcher) to dismiss a batter this way.
"He struck out three times in the game and the crowd groaned each time."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal, chiefly US) To fail completely, especially in a romantic or social context.
"I asked her to dance but struck out completely."
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
To begin an independent course of action or journey.
"After years working for others, she finally struck out on her own and opened a restaurant."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To strike (make a mark) over something to cancel it, or to strike outward at something.
Actually means
To cross out writing, to fail at something, to start out on your own, or to try to hit someone.
Usage tip
Has multiple distinct senses across writing, baseball, independent action, and physical attack. The baseball sense (three strikes) has passed into general culture as a metaphor for failure. 'Strike out on your own' is very common in American English.
Words that pair with "strike out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
on your own baseball at someone text word line
How to conjugate "strike out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
strike out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strikes out
he/she/it
Past simple
striked out
yesterday
Past participle
striked out
have + pp
-ing form
striking out
continuous
Hear "strike out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "strike out"
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Keep exploring
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