out of play
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out of play
Of a ball in a game, in an area or position where play is disallowed according to the game's rules. The referee gave him a penalty for tackling the other player while the ball was out of play. Just kick the ball out of play if you feel like there's too much offensive pressure on you—give yourself and the rest of the team a minute to regroup.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in/out of ˈplay
(of the ball) in/out of a position where it can be played according to the rules of the game: The defender kicked the ball out of play. ♢ The ball’s in play, so play on.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
out of play
Sports Not in a position to be legally or feasibly played.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.