skittle out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Specialized (cricket); metaphorical use is informal.
Quick answer
What does “skittle out” mean?
In cricket, to dismiss a team's remaining batsmen quickly and cheaply.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In cricket, to dismiss a team's remaining batsmen quickly and cheaply.
Metaphorically, to rapidly eliminate a group, set, or series of items or people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is strongly associated with cricket, a sport far more prominent in the UK and Commonwealth nations. Its use in American English is extremely rare and would likely only occur in discussions of cricket or as a conscious borrowing for metaphorical effect.
Connotations
In British/Commonwealth English, it carries precise sporting connotations. In American English, it would be perceived as a Britishism or a niche sports term.
Frequency
High frequency in UK sports journalism (cricket); low to zero in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “skittle out” in a Sentence
[Subject: Bowler/Team] skittles out [Object: Team/Batsmen] (for [runs]).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skittle out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pace attack skittled the visitors out for just 87 runs.
- Anderson skittled out the tail with three consecutive wickets.
American English
- (Metaphorical) The cross-examination skittled out the witness's faulty arguments one by one.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; could be used metaphorically: 'The new startup skittled out several established competitors.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Used primarily by followers of cricket; metaphorical use is possible but not common.
Technical
Core usage is in cricket commentary and reporting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skittle out”
- Using it without a direct object (e.g., 'The bowler skittled.' – incorrect).
- Using it for individual dismissal ('He skittled the batsman' is less common; 'bowled him' is standard).
- Applying it to non-cricket sports without clear metaphorical intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible but atypical. The phrase emphasizes successive dismissals of multiple batters. For one batter, 'bowled out' or simply 'bowled' is more common.
Yes, but only as a metaphor meaning 'to eliminate swiftly and in succession'. This usage is understood, especially in Commonwealth English, but is not as frequent as the sporting term.
They are largely synonymous in cricket. 'Skittle out' often carries a stronger connotation of doing so quickly, easily, or in a dramatic cluster of wickets.
Yes, etymologically. The verb 'to skittle' derives from the noun, drawing a direct analogy between knocking down the pins in skittles and dismissing batsmen in cricket.
In cricket, to dismiss a team's remaining batsmen quickly and cheaply.
Skittle out is usually specialized (cricket); metaphorical use is informal. in register.
Skittle out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɪt(ə)l aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɪt(ə)l aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Metaphorical) 'skittle out the competition'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bowler knocking over a row of skittles (pins) at a bowling alley. In cricket, 'skittling out' a team is like knocking over all their batsmen in quick succession.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELIMINATION IS KNOCKING OVER OBJECTS (like skittles/pins).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'skittle out' MOST appropriately and frequently used?