strike out — to fail completely or be unsuccessful
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to fail completely or be unsuccessful
Pronunciation (IPA): /straɪk aʊt/
Example Sentences
- My friend struck out at the speed dating event - he couldn't get a single phone number!
- The startup struck out after just six months in business.
- She decided to strike out on her own and open a coffee shop.
strike out
NOUN[/straɪk aʊt/]
to fail completely or be unsuccessful
to fail completely or be unsuccessful
When players strike out, fans shout with doubt!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Strike derives from Old English 'strican' (to strike, hit), while 'out' originates as an adverb indicating completeness or removal. The phrase developed its metaphorical sense of 'complete failure' through baseball terminology, where a batter who receives three strikes is 'struck out.'
Breakdown
strike (Old English strican, to hit or strike) + out (adverb denoting completion or removal from play). The compound evolved from literal striking action to idiomatic usage meaning total failure or dismissal.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My friend struck out at the speed dating event - he couldn't get a single phone number!”
“The startup struck out after just six months in business.”
“She decided to strike out on her own and open a coffee shop.”
“The editor told me to strike out that embarrassing paragraph about my ex.”
📚Related Words
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