Word: Rain Out
Definition: "Rain out" is a verb phrase that means to cancel or interrupt an event, especially an outdoor activity, because of rain. For example, if it rains too much, a sports game or concert might be canceled.
Usage Instructions: - Use "rain out" when you want to describe that something scheduled outdoors cannot happen because of rain. - It is commonly used with events like sports games, picnics, or outdoor concerts.
Example: - "The baseball game was rained out, so we went to watch a movie instead."
Advanced Usage: - You can use "rain out" in different tenses. For example: - "Last Saturday, the game was rained out." - "I hope it doesn’t rain out our plans for a picnic tomorrow."
Word Variants: - The noun form is "rainout," which refers to the event that was canceled due to rain. - Example: "The rainout was disappointing for all the fans."
Different Meanings: - "Rain out" specifically relates to cancellation due to rain; it does not have other meanings.
Synonyms: - Cancel - Postpone (though this can mean to delay to a later time rather than cancel completely)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There aren't many idioms related to "rain out," but it is a common expression in weather-related contexts. - "Wash out" is another phrasal verb that can mean to cancel due to rain, similar to "rain out." - Example: "The storm washed out our hiking trip."
Summary: "Rain out" is a useful phrase to know when talking about outdoor events that cannot happen because of rain.