Three strikes and you are out

three strikes and (one's) out

Three mistakes, transgressions, or infractions will lead someone to failing or being dismissed. He's got two strikes against him for coming into work late; three strikes and he's out. The school takes truancy very seriously: three strikes and you're out.

See also: and, out, strike, three

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Three strikes and you are out.

Fig. Three chances and you are finished. (From baseball.) One more arrest for speeding and you lose your license. You know, three strikes and you're out.

See also: and, out, strike, three

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.