strike out

British  

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

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strike out Idioms  

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

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

3. 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]

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Example Sentences

I like Steph, so I don’t tell her when she strikes out.

From Literature

France had been spearheading a months-long push for similar EU action alongside member states including Denmark, Greece and Spain -- before deciding to strike out on its own.

From Barron's

Brooklyn has been keen in recent years to strike out on his own, trying his hand at photography and cooking, and there have been many story and rumours about a rift.

From BBC

Tucker, who turns 29 on Saturday, rarely strikes out for a hitter with his power, making him one of the game’s most well-rounded offensive threats.

From The Wall Street Journal

He waited more than a year after One Direction went on hiatus before striking out on his own.

From BBC