From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishrule something/somebody ↔ out phrasal verb1 IMPOSSIBLEto decide that something is not possible or suitable The police have ruled out suicide. She has refused to rule out the possibility of singing again.2 IMPOSSIBLEto make it impossible for something to happen The mountainous terrain rules out most forms of agriculture.3 to state that someone will not be able to take part in a sports event of He has been ruled out of the match with a knee injury. → rule→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
rule out• Bernie said my sciatica would play me up and rule me out.• But still, he couldn't rule her out.• For all his talent, his faintly sinister appearance ruled him out.• Player-manager Francis has aggravated a groin problem and has ruled himself out.• There are, I suppose, two simple rules about reversing out.• Among the few exceptions to this rule he singles out Lavinia Greenlaw, John Updike and John Frederick Mins.• But the ban remained - and it took effect from Thursday, ruling him out of Sunday's races.• This does not mean he can get Colin Powell; the general seems to have ruled himself out of the running.rule out the possibility• They said they could not rule out the possibility of further blockades in January.• McCormick would not rule out the possibility of making a bid for the business.• While it appeared likely the abortion clinic was the target, authorities would not rule out the possibility of other motives.• Police ruled out the possibility of sabotage.• But it did not at all rule out the possibility of these laws being enunciated by an enlightened monarch.• However, one can not rule out the possibility that certain other new parties may appear.• Detectives still haven't ruled out the possibility that she was abducted.• However, Bantle would not rule out the possibility that the mission could be cut short if the system is not repaired.rule of• But the ban remained-and it took effect from Thursday, ruling him out of Sunday's races.• This does not mean he can get Colin Powell; the general seems to have ruled himself out of the running.From Longman Business Dictionaryrule something → out phrasal verb [transitive]1to decide that something is not possible or suitableManagement has not ruled out further redundancies.2to make it impossible for something to happenThe mountainous terrain rules out most forms of agriculture. → rule→ See Verb table 