Definition

Verb (transitive): - To defeat or remove someone from a position through a formal vote. It specifically refers to the act of voting against a candidate, official, or proposal, resulting in their failure to be elected, re-elected, or approved.

Usage

The verb "vote out" is used with a direct object (the person or proposal being rejected). It describes the collective action of a voting body. - The primary meaning is to remove an incumbent official from office by voting for their opponent. - A secondary meaning is to reject a motion or proposal by voting against it.

Examples

• Removing a person from office:
  • The council voted the mayor out after the scandal.
  • Voters are threatening to vote out any representative who supports the bill.
• Rejecting a proposal:
  • The committee voted the motion out in a narrow decision.
  • The proposal for a new tax was voted out by the assembly.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Voice: Often used to emphasize the result for the person or item rejected.
  • The incumbent senator was voted out after one term.
  • The amendment was voted out before it could be debated fully.
• "Vote [someone] out of [office/a position]": A common construction specifying the position.
  • They voted her out of the board of directors.

Variants and Related Words

• Oust (verb): To force someone out of a position, often but not always by voting. (e.g., )
• Defeat (verb): A more general term for beating an opponent, including in an election. (e.g., )
• Reject (verb): A general term for refusing to accept a proposal or person.
• Vote down (phrasal verb): A close synonym, especially for rejecting proposals or motions.

Synonyms

• Elect out
• Turn out
• Throw out (informal in this context)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Vote down: To reject a proposal or motion by voting. It is often interchangeable with "vote out" for non-person items.
  • The shareholders voted down the merger plan.
• Vote in: The opposite action; to elect or approve someone or something by voting.
  • The public voted in a new government.

Related Idioms

• "Throw the bums out": An informal, emphatic idiom meaning to vote corrupt or incompetent officials out of office.
  • The public's mood was to throw the bums out.

Verb

1. thwart the passage of
   • kill a motion
   • he shot down the student's proposal