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single out

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single someone or something out (for something)

to choose or pick someone or something for something; to select an eligible person or thing for something. The committee singled her out for a special award. We singled out Liz for special honors.

See also: out, single

single out somebody/something

also single somebody/something out

to choose someone or something for special attention Rosa was singled out by the teacher because her art project was so creative. I don't know why they singled it out, but my report was severely criticized at the meeting.

See also: out, single

single out

Choose or distinguish from others, as in We singled him out from all the other applicants. This idiom was first recorded in 1629.

See also: out, single

single out

v.

To choose or distinguish someone or something from others: We singled her out from the list of applicants because she had a college degree. Unable to determine who had committed the offense, the teacher singled out the most mischievous student for punishment.

See also: out, single