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Rule Out

What Does "Rule Out" Mean?

homeidiomsRule Out
"Rule out" is an English idiom. It means "to eliminate or exclude a possibility, option, or course of action; to determine that something is not feasible or applicable."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "rule out" used in a sentence:
  • After conducting tests, the doctor was able to rule out a serious medical condition and provide a more accurate diagnosis.
  • The investigation aimed to rule out any potential external factors that might have caused the equipment malfunction.
  • While brainstorming solutions, they had to rule out the ideas that were not practical or aligned with their goals.
meaning for rule out

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Rule Out" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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