strike out

In baseball, a player must stop batting after three strikes; a pitcher can cause this.

• The batter struck out.
• She struck out six players in one game.
• Did he strike out on the last pitch?

How to use it: strike out someone (The pitcher struck out the next batter.)

Similar words: fan

Common phrases: strike out swinging, strike out someone

Fail to get what you want, especially when asking someone for a date.

• I tried, but I struck out.
• He struck out when he asked her for a date.
• We have struck out with every landlord so far.

How to use it: strike out with someone (He struck out with every person he asked to the dance.)

Similar words: fail, get nowhere

Opposites: succeed

Common phrases: strike out again, strike out completely

Draw a line through written words to show that they should be removed.

• Strike out the last word.
• He struck out three names from the list.
• Should I strike this sentence out?

How to use it: strike out something (Strike out the sentence at the bottom.); strike something out (She struck her old address out.)

Similar words: cross out, delete

Common phrases: strike out words, strike out something

Start a journey or begin doing something independently.

• We struck out at dawn.
• The walkers struck out towards the distant hills.
• After years at the firm, he struck out on his own.

How to use it: strike out for somewhere (They struck out for the coast.); strike out on your own (She struck out on her own after college.)

Similar words: set off, set out

Common phrases: strike out alone, strike out independently

Suddenly try to hit someone or something.

• He struck out with his fist.
• The child struck out at anyone who came near.
• She suddenly struck out at my face.

How to use it: strike out at someone/something (The frightened animal struck out at its handler.)

Similar words: lash out, hit out

Common phrases: strike out wildly, strike out angrily

Strongly criticize someone, often because they have criticized or upset you.

• He struck out at his critics.
• The mayor struck out at claims that she had lied.
• Why did you strike out at everyone during the meeting?

How to use it: strike out at someone/something (The minister struck out at her critics.)

Similar words: lash out, attack, hit out

Common phrases: strike out publicly, strike out angrily