Rule out meaning
Rule out means to decide that something is not possible or not the right choice. It can also mean to stop someone from taking part, or make something impossible.
rule something out
rule out · ruled · ruling
The doctor ruled out a broken bone. It’s just a bruise.
Rule out meanings and examples
2 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Decide that something is not possible or not the right choice
rule something out
- The doctor ruled out a broken bone. It’s just a bruise.
- We can’t rule out rain this weekend.
- Paris is too expensive, so we’ve ruled it out.
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2
Stop someone from taking part, or make something impossible
rule somebody or something out
- A knee injury ruled him out of the final.
- The bad weather ruled out any chance of a picnic.
- Does her age rule her out of the job?
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use rule out in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is rule out separable?
Rule out is separable: rule out the idea, rule the idea out. With a pronoun, it goes in the middle: rule it out, not rule out it.
It is very common with can’t and won’t: I wouldn’t rule it out means it is still possible. For people and events, add of: ruled out of the game.
Verb tenses for rule out
| Present | I rule out · she rules out |
|---|---|
| Past | ruled out |
| Present perfect | have ruled out |
| -ing form | ruling out |
Common mistakes with rule out
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: It’s possible. I can’t rule out it.
Right: It’s possible. I can’t rule it out.
A pronoun goes between rule and out.
Wrong: The injury ruled him out from the match.
Right: The injury ruled him out of the match.
Use of for the event someone cannot take part in.
Wrong: The police ruled out that it was an accident.
Right: The police ruled out the idea that it was an accident.
Rule out needs a noun, so add the idea or the possibility before that.
Synonyms and opposites of rule out
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- excludethe formal word; leave something out of a list of options
- leave outnot include something, often by mistake
- dismissdecide an idea is not worth thinking about
Opposite
- considerthink about something as a real choice
- keep openkeep an option possible: keep your options open
Rule out quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1The tests were fine, so the doctor ___ anything serious.
Rule out means decide something is not possible.
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2Choose the right sentence.
A pronoun goes between rule and out.
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3A football coach says, “Sam is ruled out for three weeks.” What does this mean?
Ruled out means someone cannot take part.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get outA2leave a car, a room or a building
- take outA2remove something from a bag, a box, a pocket or a place
- put outB1stop a fire, a cigarette or a light from burning or shining
- go outA1leave your home to do something fun
- come outB1become available to buy, watch or read, like a book or film
- look outB1be careful, because something bad may happen
- give outB1give something to each of a number of people
- turn outB2happen or end in a particular way
Rule out FAQ
Questions people ask about rule out.
What does I wouldn’t rule it out mean?
It means something is possible, even if it is not likely. Will you move abroad? I wouldn’t rule it out.
Is rule out formal?
It is neutral. Doctors, police and news reports use it a lot, but it is fine in everyday talk too.
What is the opposite of rule out?
Rule in is rare. People usually say consider or keep something open: We’re still considering Rome.
Use rule out in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.