Crossword Genius

Dismiss possibility of courteously refusing cosy deal (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rule out

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'dismiss possibility' is the definition.
'rule out' can be an answer for 'dismiss' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not certain of the 'possibility' bit.

'courteously refusing cosy deal' is the wordplay.
'refusing' suggests deleting specific letters.
'deal' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'dealt' mean this).
'courteously' with 'cosy' taken away is 'urteoul'.
'urteoul' anagrammed gives 'RULE OUT'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rule out that I've seen before include "Dismiss from consideration" , "'Eliminate from consideration (4,3)'" , "Eliminate from consideration - using drawing stick?" , "Decide against" , "Exclude from consideration" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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