Dump out of
Topic:
Level:
To dump out of a competition means to eliminate a team, often with the sense that the defeat was embarrassing or unexpected.
What does it mean?
This phrase is most often used with cup competitions or knockout tournaments. It carries a slightly stronger sense than simply ‘to eliminate‘ – there’s often an implication that the losing team suffered a particularly disappointing or unexpected defeat.
Examples
- Belgium dumped the USA out of the World Cup, winning 4-1.
- They were dumped out of the competition by a much lower-ranked side.
- It was a painful way to be dumped out, especially after days of pre-match controversy.
Similar Words/Phrases
- To eliminate
- To knock out
- To crash out
Learn More
- Listen to our podcast from Day 26 of the 2026 World Cup
- Translate it or use it in a sentence (on our forum)
- Listen to one of our old podcasts on the phrase, ‘to dump out of’
- Read more about the phrase here