1 B2 neutral
(Baseball) To put a runner out by touching them with the ball or with a glove holding the ball while they are off a base
"The shortstop tagged out the runner trying to steal second base."
separable
tag out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In baseball, to put a runner out by touching them with the ball; also, to switch players in a tag-team sport
In plain English
Touch a player with the ball to get them out in baseball
What does "tag out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
(Tag-team wrestling) To touch your partner to transfer the active role to them during a match
"When he was exhausted, he tagged out to his partner who immediately took control of the fight."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) To be removed from or exit a role, project, or situation
"She was tagged out of the project after the restructuring."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make a tag (touch) that puts someone out — transparent in a sports context.
Actually means
Touch a player with the ball to get them out in baseball
Usage tip
Primarily a baseball term. Also used in tag-team wrestling to mean touching your partner to bring them into the match. Can be used figuratively in business to mean being replaced or removed from a role.
Words that pair with "tag out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
runner baserunner player partner glove ball
How to conjugate "tag out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tag out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tags out
he/she/it
Past simple
taged out
yesterday
Past participle
taged out
have + pp
-ing form
taging out
continuous
Hear "tag out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tag out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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