shut out

1. Exclude, deny entry to, block, as in Anyone convicted of a crime is shut out from the legal profession , or These curtains shut out all the light . [Late 1300s]

2. Prevent an opponent from scoring, as in They were shut out of the last two games , or Reagan shut out Ford in the Texas primary in 1976. Originating in baseball about 1880, this usage was later transferred to other sports and then even broader usage.

Example Sentences

United have shut out their opponents on five occasions this term, with only Liverpool bettering them with six.

From BBC

Memorable moment: Sandy Koufax comes back on two days’ rest to shut out the Twins in Game 7.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Celtic boss Rodgers hailed his team's mental resilience to respond by shutting out the Serie A's top scorers.

From BBC

But to manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers — who have shut out their opponents in four of the last five games — that was just fine.

From Los Angeles Times

The Baltimore Orioles swept the series by shutting out the Dodgers over the final 33 innings.

From Los Angeles Times