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stroke out

B2 informal mixed both
In simple words

Have a sudden brain emergency (like a stroke), or draw a line through something written.

Literal meaning: To stroke (make a mark) out — crossing something out with a pen stroke; or to 'stroke out' as a verb describing the brain event called a stroke.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

(Informal, chiefly American) To suffer a stroke; to have a sudden loss of brain function due to a blocked or burst blood vessel.

"He stroked out during the middle of the game and was rushed to hospital."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To draw a line through a word or piece of text to indicate it should be removed or ignored.

"She stroked out the incorrect answer and wrote the right one above it."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The medical sense ('to have a stroke') is primarily American informal English. The writing sense is less common than 'cross out' or 'strike out'. Use with care in medical contexts — 'have a stroke' is more standard.

Commonly used with

patient suddenly word line entry

Forms

Base
stroke out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
strokes out
he/she/it
Past simple
stroked out
yesterday
Past participle
stroked out
have + pp
-ing form
stroking out
continuous

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