Pronunciation: [fˈa͡ʊl ˈa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
The phrase "foul out" refers to a player being removed from a game due to committing a certain number of fouls. In terms of spelling, "foul" is pronounced with the "ow" sound (as in "cow") followed by the "l" sound, and "out" is pronounced with the "ow" sound followed by the "t" sound. The IPA transcription for "foul" is /faʊl/ and for "out" is /aʊt/. So, the complete IPA transcription for "foul out" would be /faʊl aʊt/.
Foul out refers to a term primarily used in sports, particularly in basketball and baseball, to indicate that a player has exceeded the allowed number of fouls and must be removed from the game. In basketball, when a player commits more than the allotted number of fouls, usually five, they are said to have fouled out. Once a player fouls out, they are disqualified from participating in the game for its remainder, leaving their team with a reduced number of available players. This rule aims to deter players from engaging in excessive and unfair physical contact against opponents, ensuring a fair competition.
Similarly, in baseball, a player fouls out when they commit a certain number of fouls during their turn at bat in a given inning. This occurs when a batter hits the ball outside of the field boundaries, but it lands in foul territory or is caught by a fielder without touching the ground. By fouling out, the batter is declared out, and their team loses an opportunity to score or advance base runners.
Overall, foul out refers to the act of surpassing the allowed number of fouls in a sporting event, leading to the disqualification of a player from further participation or an out in baseball.
The term "foul out" originates from the sporting domain of basketball. It is a common phrase used to describe a situation when a player commits too many personal fouls during a game, resulting in their disqualification or removal from the game. The etymology of "foul out" can be understood by examining the meanings of the individual words.
1. Foul: The word "foul" has several meanings, but in the context of sports, it is generally used to describe an infraction or an illegal action committed by a player. This term comes from Old English "ful", meaning "rotten, unclean".
2. Out: "Out" is a word used to signify being removed, disqualified, or ejected from a game. It derives from Old English "ūt", which means "outside" or "beyond".
