Bowl sb out Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Bowl sb out” Mean?

“Bowl sb out” means to dismiss or get someone out in cricket by hitting their wicket with the ball. It is also used figuratively to mean surprising or defeating someone completely.

Introduction

The phrase “bowl sb out” comes from the sport of cricket, where “bowl” means to throw the ball and “sb” is short for “somebody.” When a bowler hits the wicket and the batter is dismissed, the batter is said to be “bowled out.” This phrase is common in cricket commentary and everyday conversations in countries where cricket is popular. Beyond sports, “bowl sb out” can mean to surprise or overwhelm someone in a non-literal way. Understanding the bowl sb out meaning helps learners recognize its use in both sporting and informal contexts, making it easier to follow conversations and media where the phrase appears.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: bowl somebody out
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Meaning: To get someone out in cricket by hitting their wicket or to surprise/defeat someone completely

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Bowl sb out” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (sb) between “bowl” and “out” or after “out.”

• Correct: The bowler bowls him out.
• Also correct: The bowler bowls out him (less common, often avoided).
• Preferred: The bowler bowls him out.

Note: “Sb” stands for “somebody” and is a placeholder for the object.

How to Use “Bowl sb out”?

Use “bowl sb out” when talking about cricket to describe the action of dismissing a batter by hitting the wicket. It can also be used figuratively to describe surprising or defeating someone in any situation.

For example, in sports commentary: “The bowler bowled the batsman out with a perfect yorker.”

Figuratively: “Her presentation really bowled me out; I didn’t expect such detailed research.”

Examples

• The fast bowler bowled the top scorer out in the final over.
• He was bowled out for just 10 runs in yesterday’s match.
• The surprise announcement completely bowled me out during the meeting.
• She bowled him out with her quick answers during the debate.
• In cricket, getting bowled out means the batter’s wicket was hit by the ball.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: The bowler bowl out him.
• Correct: The bowler bowled him out.
• Incorrect: He was bowled by out the bowler.
• Correct: He was bowled out by the bowler.

Differences / Synonyms

“Bowl sb out” is specific to cricket, meaning to dismiss a batter by hitting the wicket. Similar phrases include:

• Get sb out: A broader cricket term for dismissing a batter by any method.
• Knock sb out: Used in boxing or figuratively to mean defeat someone decisively.
• Throw sb out: To remove someone from a place, different meaning.

Unlike “get sb out,” which is general, “bowl sb out” specifically refers to the ball hitting the wicket.

Common Collocations

• Bowled the batsman out
• Bowled the opponent out
• Bowled the team out
• Bowled out early
• Bowled out cheaply (meaning with few runs)

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of bowl sb out:

• Bowl Sb Over

Real-life Dialogue

Tom: Did you watch the cricket match yesterday?

Anna: Yes! The bowler bowled the best player out in the first over.

Tom: That was surprising. He really bowled him out quickly.

Anna: Exactly. It changed the whole game.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

• a) The bowler bowl him out in the second over.
• b) The bowler bowled him out in the second over.
• c) The bowler bowled out him in the second over.

Answer: b) The bowler bowled him out in the second over.

FAQs

• Q: What does “bowl sb out” mean in cricket?
  A: It means to dismiss a batter by hitting their wicket with the ball.
• Q: Can “bowl sb out” be used outside cricket?
  A: Yes, it can mean to surprise or defeat someone completely.
• Q: Is “bowl sb out” separable?
  A: Yes, you can place the object between “bowl” and “out.”
• Q: What is a common mistake with “bowl sb out”?
  A: Saying “bowl out him” instead of “bowl him out.”
• Q: How is “bowl sb out” different from “get sb out”?
  A: “Bowl sb out” specifically means hitting the wicket, while “get sb out” is more general.