cross-out
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To draw lines through written or printed words to indicate they should be ignored or deleted.
To eliminate or cancel something from consideration, often by marking through it; metaphorically, to reject or dismiss an option.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in written/editing contexts. Can be used literally (on paper) or figuratively (removing from a list). Often implies correction or revision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. Both use 'cross out' or 'cross off' (though 'cross off' more often means to remove from a list by ticking). Hyphenated form 'cross-out' is less common and typically functions as a noun (e.g., 'a cross-out').
Connotations
None significant.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
cross out [object]cross [object] outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cross your name off the list”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when editing documents, correcting forms, or updating lists of tasks or candidates.
Academic
Common in proofreading, correcting essays, or editing drafts.
Everyday
Used when making handwritten changes to notes, lists, or forms.
Technical
Used in editing/proofreading contexts, but not a specialised technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please cross out any outdated information.
- She crossed his name out with a thick pen.
American English
- Cross out the incorrect answers on your test.
- I crossed that option out of consideration.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable (phrasal verb particle).
American English
- Not applicable (phrasal verb particle).
adjective
British English
- The document was full of cross-out lines and notes.
- A cross-out amendment was made in the margin.
American English
- He handed in a paper with several cross-out sections.
- Follow the cross-out instructions on the form.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cross out the wrong word.
- I crossed out my mistake.
- If you make an error, just cross it out neatly.
- The teacher told us to cross out the old date and write the new one.
- The editor crossed out several redundant paragraphs from the draft.
- After reconsidering, we crossed her name out from the shortlist.
- The controversial clause was effectively crossed out of the final agreement by mutual consent.
- He metaphorically crossed out entire chapters of his past, choosing to focus on the future.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a big red 'X' (a cross) drawn over something to take it 'out'.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS MAKING A MARK THROUGH SOMETHING; CORRECTION IS PHYSICAL ERASURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'cross off' (вычеркнуть галочкой/отметить). 'Cross out' specifically implies drawing lines through, not ticking. Avoid literal translations like 'перечеркивать наружу'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cross off' when meaning to draw lines through (not tick). Forgetting the particle 'out'. Incorrect: 'I crossed the wrong answer.' Correct: 'I crossed out the wrong answer.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the action 'to cross out'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cross out' means to draw lines through something to delete it. 'Cross off' usually means to remove an item from a list, often by ticking or marking it, implying the task is complete.
Yes, the hyphenated form can function as a noun (e.g., 'There were many cross-outs on the page'), though it's less common than the phrasal verb.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for digital editing (e.g., 'Cross out that sentence in the document'), though the literal action is replaced by the 'delete' or 'strikethrough' function.
Yes. It's a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'cross out the word' or 'cross the word out'. If the object is a pronoun (it, them), it must go in the middle: 'cross it out'.