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]

Example Sentences

The left-hander pitched 4⅓ innings of two-run ball, striking out six batters on four hits and four walks, but it wasn’t his stats that mattered.

From Los Angeles Times

He bounced back to strike out Drew Gilbert for the inning’s first out.

From Los Angeles Times

He wound up scattering three hits and a walk over seven innings, striking out nine to earn his fourth victory in five decisions.

From Los Angeles Times

He threw 90 pitches, 52 for strikes, striking out eight and walking four.

From Los Angeles Times

Tyler Glasnow was brilliant over seven no-hit innings, striking out 11.

From Los Angeles Times