strike out

verb7

1. •
   Of a batter, to be retired after three strikes (missed swings, as opposed to any other way of becoming "out"); of a pitcher, to cause this to happen to the batter.

   • Jones struck out on a nasty slider.
   • The pitcher struck out Jones with a nasty slider.
2. •
   (informal, figurative) To fail; to be refused a request or to have a proposal not be accepted, in particular a request for a (hopefully romantic) date.

   • Dave asked the new girl to the dance but he struck out.
3. •
   To begin to make one's way.

   • The travellers struck out towards the line of mountains.
4. •
   To lash out; to strike or hit at someone or something, particularly something in arm's length of the striker and at or near the level of the striker's head.

   • The gallant old skipper had struck out with his fist and the blow took effect; "spread the chap's nose all ower his fyesce" as he afterwards said ... — 1885
5. •
   (figurative) To strongly criticize or make a verbal attack, particularly as a response to previous criticism or provocation.

   • ... 1937, before the Maryland Farm Bureau Federation, he struck out at his critics. He said: When the Federal Government first undertook to help farmers get ... — 1954
6. •
   To draw a line through some text such as a printed or written sentence, with the purpose of deleting that text from the rest of the document.

   • Mr. Randolph moved to strike out the words, "each House" and to insert the words, "the House of Representatives" in Sect. 7. — 1787
7. •
   (figurative) to treat something as settled