cross out — draw a line through
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To draw a line through something written or printed, usually to show that it is wrong or should not be included.
Say it like a native
Textbook Please delete the incorrect word by drawing a line through it.
Native Just cross out the wrong word.
'Cross out' is the plain verb for striking through text; the long instruction is needlessly formal.
Pattern: cross out + noun/pronoun
In use
- If you make a mistake on the form, just cross it out and write the correct answer.study
- In the IELTS writing test, if I write the wrong word, I usually cross it out neatly and continue with my answer.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Cross out it and write the correct answer.
✓ Cross it out and write the correct answer.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'cross it out'.
Common collocations
cross out + text— a word, your mistake, the name, it
Don't confuse it
'Cross off' is used for removing completed items from a list, while 'cross out' is for removing incorrect or unwanted words or information.