mark out

To make someone or something clearly different from others.

• Her bright coat marks her out.
• His patience marked him out from the other teachers.
• What marks this restaurant out from its competitors?

How to use it: mark someone/something out from someone/something (Her direct style marks her out from other writers.); mark someone/something out (His unusual voice marks him out immediately.)

Similar words: distinguish, set apart

Common phrases: mark out someone, mark out something

To show the edges of an area with lines or signs before using it.

• Mark out a square on the ground.
• We marked out the football pitch with white paint.
• The carpenter is marking out the section to cut.

How to use it: mark something out (They marked the garden out with string.)

Similar words: outline, lay out

Common phrases: mark out an area, mark out a pitch

To show or describe someone or something as belonging to a particular type or group.

• They marked her out as a troublemaker.
• His early work marked him out as a serious thinker.
• Why was that group marked out as a threat?

How to use it: mark someone/something out as something (His school results marked him out as a strong candidate.)

Similar words: classify, identify, label

Common phrases: mark out someone, mark out something

To draw a line over writing to remove or cancel it.

• Mark out the wrong answer.
• She marked out his name on the guest list.
• He used a thick pen to mark out the cancelled entry.

How to use it: mark something out (Please mark that incorrect total out.)

Similar words: cross out, strike out

Common phrases: mark out a name, mark out an entry