english
1
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Choose or distinguish from others, as in We singled him out from all the other applicants. This idiom was first recorded in 1629.
American Heritage Idioms