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rail out

C1 formal inseparable both
In simple words

To shout angrily about something you don't like, or to put up a fence or rail around something.

Literal meaning: To rail — to use rails, either as a verb of protest (railing = angry speech) or as a physical barrier.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

To protest or complain loudly and angrily, especially about an injustice or grievance.

"The poet railed out against the corruption of the ruling class in his final pamphlet."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 neutral

To enclose or partition an area using rails or railings.

"The construction crew railed out the hazardous section of the pavement to prevent pedestrians from entering."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Has two senses that are rarely encountered. The verbal sense (to protest angrily) is an older or literary variant of 'rail against.' The physical sense (to enclose with rails) is a construction/building term. Both uses are uncommon in modern everyday English. 'Rail against' is the standard modern form for the protesting sense.

Commonly used with

injustice system decision area section crowd

Forms

Base
rail out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rails out
he/she/it
Past simple
railed out
yesterday
Past participle
railed out
have + pp
-ing form
railing out
continuous

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