the rout was on

phrase

—used to say that a game or contest becomes one in which the winner easily defeats the loser by a large amount
After they scored their fourth goal, the rout was on.

Examples of the rout was on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 76ers went on a 24–4 run, and the rout was on. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026 The Tigers were in the zone, and the rout was on. — Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026 Chinyelu scored nine points during the ensuing 18-0 run, and the rout was on before a sellout crowd in what essentially was a home game with coach Todd Golden's squad playing only a two-hour drive south of its campus in Gainesville. — ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026 Elijah Womack uncorked a 72-yard rushing TD with five minutes left in the opening frame, and the rout was on. — Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the rout was on

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The rout was on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20rout%20was%20on. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster