rule out

British  

verb

1. to dismiss from consideration

2. to make impossible; preclude or prevent

   the rain ruled out outdoor games

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rule out Idioms  

1. Eliminate from consideration, exclude, as in The option of starting over again has been ruled out . [Second half of 1800s]

2. Prevent, make impossible, as in The snowstorm ruled out our weekly rehearsal . [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

He recently competed in a hybrid TGL event and hadn’t ruled out a return at next week’s Masters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Before the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they had ruled out the use of their airspace and territory for a potential U.S. attack on Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal

A lower level would mean more people being referred for colonoscopies to help diagnose or rule out bowel cancer.

From BBC

Prior to the crash he had not ruled out playing in next month's Masters - though he has not competed at a major since missing the cut at The Open in July 2024.

From BBC

Last week he competed in the TGL indoor league finals - his first competitive golf for more than a year - and had not ruled out playing in next month's Masters.

From BBC

Related Words

• avert
• ban
• cancel
• dismiss
• eliminate
• forbid
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• revoke
• suspend