rule out

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to eliminate an option, possibility, or potential cause from consideration. It is a neutral term widely used in medical, legal, scientific, and everyday decision-making contexts. It helps narrow down choices by systematically removing the ones that are impossible or highly unlikely.

Examples

• The police have ruled out the suspect because he had a solid alibi.

  The police have ruled out the suspect because he had a solid alibi.

• We can't rule out the possibility of rain, so we should bring umbrellas.

  We can't rule out the possibility of rain, so we should bring umbrellas.

• The doctors ran several tests to rule out any serious illnesses.

  The doctors ran several tests to rule out any serious illnesses.

• I wouldn't rule out moving to another country if the right job came along.

  I wouldn't rule out moving to another country if the right job came along.

• The budget constraints rule out any chance of a company trip this year.

  The budget constraints rule out any chance of a company trip this year.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We ruled down that option because it was too expensive.

  ✓ We ruled out that option because it was too expensive.

  The correct particle is 'out', not 'down' or 'off'.

• ✗ The doctor ruled out him from having the disease.

  ✓ The doctor ruled out the disease.

  'Rule out' takes the eliminated possibility or option as its direct object. If referring to a person as a candidate, use 'rule [someone] out'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's still early, so we shouldn't ___ any potential solutions yet.

  💡 We shouldn't eliminate or dismiss any options.

  Show answer

  rule out

• The investigators quickly ___ mechanical failure as the cause of the crash.

  💡 They eliminated this cause from consideration (past tense).

  Show answer

  ruled out