deal out of
deal (one) out of (something)
To exclude one from something. The phrase likely originated from card games, in which cards are distributed among the players by "dealing" them. If you guys are going to keep playing poker, then deal me out of this hand—I have to get something upstairs. Bobby isn't going to the conference anymore, so deal him out of this project.
See also: deal, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
deal someone out of something
and deal someone out1. Lit. to skip someone when dealing a hand of cards. Please deal me out of the next hand. I have to go make a telephone call. They dealt out the old lady because she would not pay attention to the game.
2. Fig. to remove someone from participation in something. They dealt me out at the last minute. They dealt out Fred, too.
See also: deal, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- deal (one) out of (something)
- beat (one) to the punch
- beat someone to the punch
- beat to the punch
- be all things to all men
- be all things to all men/people
- all things to all men, to be
- ace in the hole
- all things to all men
- balls-out