strike out

strike something out

to cross something out of a section of printing or writing. This is wrong. Please strike it out. Strike out this sentence.

See also: out, strike

strike out 

1. Lit. [for a baseball batter] to be declared out after making three strikes. (Baseball.) And so Drew Wilson strikes out for his second time in this game! He struck out in the second inning, and the manager took him out then.

2. Fig. to fail. Well, we struck out again, but we'll keep trying. I hear you struck out on that Acme proposal. Better luck next time.

See also: out, strike

strike out (at someone or something)

to hit at someone or something with the intention of threatening or harming. Dave would strike out at anyone who came near him, but it was all bluff. He was mad, and when anyone came close, he struck out.

See also: out, strike

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strike out

1. to begin moving or acting with energy or determination At dawn they struck out on foot toward the town.

2. to fail In the past our ads have been successful, but we struck out this time.

Etymology: from an expression used in baseball, referring to a play in which the hitter fails to hit the ball

See also: out, strike