rule out

rule out
verb
1. make impossible, especially beforehand (Freq. 6)
• Syn: ↑preclude, ↑close out
• Derivationally related forms: ↑preclusive (for: ↑preclude)
• Hypernyms: ↑obviate, ↑rid of, ↑eliminate
• Verb Frames:
-

Something ——s something

2. dismiss from consideration or a contest (Freq. 1)
-

John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi

-

This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration

• Syn: ↑eliminate, ↑winnow out, ↑reject
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

-

Somebody ——s somebody

3. include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules (Freq. 1)
• Syn: ↑rule in
• Hypernyms: ↑rule, ↑decree
• Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

* * *

[verb]
exclude, ban, debar, dismiss, disqualify, eliminate, leave out, preclude, prohibit, reject

* * *

transitive verb
1.
a. : to exclude or eliminate

was ruled out on a technicality that required members to be experienced lawyers — Current Biography

rule such subjective and moral judgments out of our biology — A.L.Kroeber

b. : to eliminate as a possibility

a positive diagnosis can be made only after ruling out gastric and duodenal ulcer — H.G.Armstrong

2. : to make impossible : prevent

heavy rain ruled the picnic out for that day

Synonyms: see exclude

* * *

rule out
To exclude as a choice or possibility
• • •
Main Entry: ↑rule

* * *

ˌrule ˈout [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they rule out he/she/it rules out present participle ruling out past tense ruled out past participle ruled out] phrasal verb
to stop considering something as a possibility

The president has ruled out the use of US troops.

Police said arson could not be ruled out.

Thesaurus: to refuse to think about, believe or accept somethingsynonym
Main entry: rule

* * *

rule out [phrasal verb]
1 rule (someone or something) out or rule out (someone or something) : to no longer consider (someone or something) as a possibility after careful thought or study

The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed.

There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis.

2 rule (something) out or rule out (something) : to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening

The bad weather ruled out a picnic.

3 rule (someone) out : to remove (someone) from a competition, contest, etc.

He applied for the job, but his lack of experience quickly ruled him out.

(chiefly Brit) She has been ruled out of today's game with a broken thumb.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑rule

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rule out of — ˌrule ˈout of [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they rule out of he/she/it rules out of present participle ruling out of past tense …   Useful english dictionary

  • rule out — (something) to stop considering something as a possibility. My doctor has ruled out drinking tea or coffee. Let s see how much the trip will cost before we rule it out …   New idioms dictionary

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  • rule out — ► rule out/in exclude (or include) as a possibility. Main Entry: ↑rule …   English terms dictionary

  • rule out/in — ► rule out/in exclude (or include) as a possibility. Main Entry: ↑rule …   English terms dictionary

  • rule out — index delete, deter, dismiss (put out of consideration), disqualify, eliminate (exclude), exclude, negate, o …   Law dictionary

  • rule out — eliminate, debar, *exclude, shut out, suspend, disbar, blackball Analogous words: bar, block (see HINDER): *prevent, preclude, obviate …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • rule out of — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms rule out of : present tense I/you/we/they rule out of he/she/it rules out of present participle ruling out of past tense ruled out of past participle ruled out of rule someone out of something to make it… …   English dictionary

  • rule out — {v.} 1. To say that (something) must not be done; not allow; also: decide against. * /The principal ruled out dances on school nights./ * /The play was ruled out by the referee./ * /Jean probably will not go to college, but she has not ruled that …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • rule out — {v.} 1. To say that (something) must not be done; not allow; also: decide against. * /The principal ruled out dances on school nights./ * /The play was ruled out by the referee./ * /Jean probably will not go to college, but she has not ruled that …   Dictionary of American idioms

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