cross out — to draw a line through something written to show it is wrong or no longer needed
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to draw a line through something written to show it is wrong or no longer needed
Pronunciation (IPA): /krɔːs aʊt/
Example Sentences
- My teacher crossed out half of my essay with a red pen.
- She crossed out 'single' and wrote 'married' on the form.
- I crossed out my ex-boyfriend's name from my phone contacts so aggressively that I tore the paper.
cross out
VERB[/krɔːs aʊt/]
to draw a line through something written to show it is wrong or no longer needed
to draw a line through something written to show it is wrong or no longer needed
Boss out the bad ones, cross out and toss out!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines 'cross,' from Old French 'croiser' meaning to mark with a cross or intersecting lines, and 'out,' from Old English 'ut' meaning away or completely. The combination emerged to describe the action of drawing a line or X mark through written text to completely remove or delete it.
Breakdown
cross (to mark with intersecting lines) + out (away, completely). The prefix-like particle 'out' intensifies the action of 'cross,' transforming it from simply marking into complete deletion or removal of text.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My teacher crossed out half of my essay with a red pen.”
“She crossed out 'single' and wrote 'married' on the form.”
“I crossed out my ex-boyfriend's name from my phone contacts so aggressively that I tore the paper.”
“Don't cross out your work - the teacher wants to see your thinking process.”
📚Related Words
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