strike out

verb

1. (tr) to remove or erase

2. (intr) to start out or begin

   to strike out on one's own

3. baseball to put out or be put out on strikes

4. informal,  (intr) to fail utterly

Idioms and Phrases

Cancel or erase, as in Strike out that last sentence, please . [Early 1500s]

Begin a course of action, set out energetically, as in Elaine was determined to strike out on her own . [Early 1700s]

Fail in an endeavor, as in His latest business venture has struck out . This usage originated in baseball, where it refers to a batter's failure to put the ball in play ( Williams struck out three times in yesterday's game ), as well as to a pitcher's success in eliminating a batter ( Clemens struck him out again in the fourth inning ). [Late 1800s]