bowl out

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To take all the opponents' wickets (in whatever way) and thus end their innings.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

They were bowled out for 181.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To dismiss or be dismissed bowled.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To overcome opposition from (a person); to remove out of one's way.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

to put out of the game, to remove out of one’s way, to detect.—Originally a Cricketing term, but now general.

Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English
Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “bowl out” mean?

To take all the opponents' wickets (in whatever way) and thus end their innings.

Is “bowl out” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.