rule out

rule out (http://definr.com/rule out)

     v 1: make impossible, esp. beforehand [syn: preclude, {close
          out}]
     2: include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement
        with rules [syn: rule in]
     3: dismiss from consideration; "John was ruled out as a
        possible suspect because he had a strong alibi"; "This
        possibility can be eliminated from our consideration"
        [syn: eliminate, reject]