strike out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “strike out” mean?
To start doing something new or independently, often after a period of preparation or following a failure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To start doing something new or independently, often after a period of preparation or following a failure; to be unsuccessful in an attempt; to draw a line through written text.
In baseball, to fail to hit the ball three times and be out; to fail completely; to attempt to achieve something challenging.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The baseball meaning is far more common and readily understood in American English due to the sport's popularity. The 'start independently' meaning is used in both, but the 'fail' meaning (outside of baseball) is slightly more American.
Connotations
In British English, the 'fail' meaning might be less immediately understood without contextual cues pointing to sports or metaphor. The 'delete text' meaning is universally understood.
Frequency
Higher overall frequency in American English, primarily due to the baseball term's pervasive metaphorical use.
Grammar
How to Use “strike out” in a Sentence
[Subject] + strike out + (on [possessive] own) + (as a [profession])[Subject] + strike out + (at [something]) + (in [attempt])[Subject] + strike out + [object: text/name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strike out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He felt it was time to strike out and create his own design studio.
- The solicitor advised me to strike out that ambiguous clause.
- Our proposal struck out in the first round of reviews.
American English
- After college, she struck out for California to work in tech.
- The rookie pitcher struck out seven batters.
- Strike out any names that are no longer on the list.
adjective
British English
- The strike-out clause was invalid. (Legal context, from verb)
American English
- He had a strike-out performance in the playoffs. (Derived, informal)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'After ten years at the consultancy, she decided to strike out and found her own agency.'
Academic
'The researcher's initial hypothesis struck out, leading her to pursue a new line of inquiry.'
Everyday
'I'll just strike out the old address and write the new one.'
Technical
'The pitcher managed to strike out the side in the ninth inning.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strike out”
- Using 'strike out' to mean 'go for a walk' (use 'set out'). Confusing 'strike out' (fail) with 'strike it rich' (succeed). Using it without the particle 'out' for the phrasal verb meanings.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral but leans informal, especially in the 'fail' and 'start independently' meanings. The 'delete text' meaning is acceptable in formal writing.
No, for these specific meanings, 'out' is essential. 'Strike' alone has many different meanings (to hit, to stop work, to find gold).
The action noun is 'striking out'. In baseball, the result is a 'strikeout' (one word).
Look at the context. If it's about starting a business or journey, it's the 'begin independently' sense. If it's about sports or a failed attempt, it's the 'fail' sense. If it's about editing text, it's the 'delete' sense.
To start doing something new or independently, often after a period of preparation or following a failure.
Strike out: in British English it is pronounced /straɪk ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /straɪk ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Strike out on your own”
- “Three strikes and you're out (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baseball player (STRIKE) walking off the field (OUT) after failing. Next, imagine that same person drawing a line (STRIKE) through their old job title on a CV to start (OUT) anew.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY (to strike out on a new path), FAILURE IS AN OUT (from baseball), DELETION IS STRIKING (a violent removal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'strike out' specifically mean 'to fail'?