oust each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oust each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two or more parties are competing to remove or replace one another from a position or situation. Example: "In the fierce competition for leadership, the candidates began to oust each other, each trying to gain the upper hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Russell Glass, a protégé of Carl Icahn and founder of the private investment firm RDG Capital, spotted unlocked real estate value at Atmel, a maker of integrated circuits that is embroiled in a nasty struggle where independent directors and the chief executive are trying to oust each other.

Forbes

Teran's screeches are carried by the howling gales as the two spirits try to oust each other.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Jefferson and Hamilton sniped at each other with relentless gusto, each trying to oust the other from the administration.

The New York Times

So one of them will oust the other in due course and I'll know that's my next thing".

The Guardian - Books

Experts in the Senate historical office could find no recent comparable example of one leader trying so aggressively to oust the other.

The New York Times

President Bashar al-Assad and rebels seeking to oust him have accused each other of deploying chemical weapons, though the rebels have accused the government of using chemical weapons many more times.

The New York Times

Mr. Loeb also called on Mr. Yang to step down from Yahoo's board and indicated that he would be willing to try to oust other directors.

The New York Times

Bizarrely, the referendum might potentially oust the 39 other members of the city council, leaving the 40th in the 2010 ballot, a nonentity, as the interim mayor, pending a fresh election.At best this looks like a colossal and unnecessary distraction from the task of governing Peru's capital.

The Economist

All through the fall of 2012, as Mr. Ag Ghali's fighters lorded over civilians in northern Mali and the world made plans to oust them and other militants by force, his men were in Algiers negotiating with the government, promising peace and signing agreements.

The New York Times

The results of another recall election last August, in which Democrats succeeded in recalling two Wisconsin state senators but failed in efforts to oust four others, had served as something of a referendum on Mr. Walker.

The New York Times

According to Stevens, though some Congressional leaders appeared delighted at the opportunity to oust Blanton, others were less on board.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oust each other" to describe situations where two or more entities are actively attempting to remove each other from a position of power or influence. This phrase effectively conveys mutual efforts of displacement.

Common error

Avoid using "oust each other" when only one party is attempting to remove the other. This phrase specifically implies mutual action; if the action is unilateral, use "oust" followed by the target.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "oust each other" functions as a verb phrase describing a reciprocal action. It illustrates a scenario where multiple parties are simultaneously attempting to remove one another from a position of power or influence. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "oust each other" is a grammatically sound reciprocal action phrase, albeit relatively rare in usage. It succinctly describes a situation where multiple parties are actively attempting to remove one another from a position of power. The primary contexts where the phrase appears are News & Media and Wiki. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the expression. While alternatives like "remove one another" or "displace each other" exist, "oust each other" emphasizes the active and forceful nature of this mutual displacement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove one another

Focuses on the action of removing, without necessarily implying competition or struggle.

displace each other

Highlights the act of taking someone's place, often in a physical or metaphorical sense.

supplant each other

Emphasizes replacing something with something else, which may or may not involve rivalry.

overthrow each other

Suggests a forceful or rebellious removal from power or position.

depose one another

Implies the removal of someone from a high-ranking position, like a monarch or president.

unseat one another

Refers to removing someone from a seated position, often in a metaphorical sense like in politics.

topple each other

Conveys a sense of instability and forceful removal, like a building collapsing.

unhorse each other

A more archaic or figurative way to say to knock someone off their high horse

dislodge each other

Suggests that two parties that were originally stuck, fixed or settled get dislodged

dethrone one another

Very formal and relates to royalty

FAQs

How can I use "oust each other" in a sentence?

The phrase "oust each other" is used to describe situations where two or more entities are actively trying to remove the other from a position. For example: "In the corporate power struggle, the executives tried to oust each other."

What is a good alternative to "oust each other"?

Alternatives include "remove one another", "displace each other", or "supplant each other", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "oust one another" instead of "oust each other"?

Yes, "oust one another" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "oust each other". Both phrases indicate a reciprocal action of removal.

What is the difference between "oust each other" and "compete with each other"?

"Oust each other" implies a direct attempt to remove or displace the other party, whereas "compete with each other" suggests a broader struggle for advantage that may not necessarily involve removal. "Ousting" is a more specific and forceful action than simply "competing".