rule something/somebody ↔ out phrasal verb ( see also ↑ rule )
1 . to decide that something is not possible or suitable:
The police have ruled out suicide.
She has refused to rule out the possibility of singing again.
2 . to make it impossible for something to happen:
The mountainous terrain rules out most forms of agriculture.
3 . to state that someone will not be able to take part in a sports event
rule something/somebody ↔ out of
He has been ruled out of the match with a knee injury.