blank out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blank out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean to cause someone to forget or to erase, or to cause something to be invisible or impossible to see. For example: "The bright light blanked out his vision of the road ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is unsupportable to blank out grim details.

The New York Times

So I blank out a lot of stuff.

The Guardian - Film

Amnesia Nigeriana, someone called it: that tendency of Nigerians to blank out national trauma.

The New York Times

They'll either ignore or blank out items that are too much for them".

The New Yorker

And you have to simplify yourself, "blank out whole categories of feeling," "travel light".

The New York Times - Books

"I do it for fun, I do it to blank out, I do it to meditate".

The Guardian - Music

One thing I have tended to do is blank out injured players.

The Guardian - Sport

You just blank out what you've done; you just forget; you just don't know about it anymore".

The New Yorker

"I'll try to be as focused as I can be, and blank out all the nervousness," Taylor said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the novel begins, he's just emerging from a seemingly lifelong mental blank-out.

The New York Times - Books

Wales has been considering a Wikipedia protest of SOPA since December, when he asked users via his Wiki "talk page" whether the Wikipedia community would support a global blank-out of English-language Wiki pages.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blank out" to describe a temporary loss of memory or focus, consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning. For example, use it to describe forgetting under pressure ('I tend to "blank out" during exams') or to intentionally ignore distractions ('I try to "blank out" the noise when I'm working').

Common error

Avoid using "blank out" when a weaker term like 'forget' or 'ignore' would suffice. "Blank out" implies a more complete or sudden disappearance of information or awareness. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound less precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "blank out" primarily functions as a verb, indicating either a temporary loss of memory or consciousness, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, such as 'I "blank out" sometimes and go on automatic' or the screen blanking out.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

The New Yorker

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "blank out" is a versatile expression used to describe either a sudden loss of memory or consciousness, or the intentional blocking of unwanted stimuli. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts, although its register is generally neutral. When using "blank out", it's important to consider the scope of its meaning, as it implies a more complete disappearance of information or awareness compared to simpler terms like 'forget' or 'ignore'. Alternatives such as "erase from memory" or "block out" can provide more specific nuances depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erase from memory

Indicates a deliberate attempt to forget something, focusing on the mental process of removal.

block out

Suggests preventing something from entering one's awareness, often used for sounds or sights.

forget completely

Emphasizes the thoroughness of forgetting, highlighting the absence of any recollection.

obliterate from consciousness

Implies a forceful removal of something from awareness, indicating a strong degree of forgetting.

wipe from existence

Suggests completely removing something, not just from memory, but as if it never existed.

suppress the memory of

Highlights the active effort to keep a memory from surfacing.

screen out

Refers to filtering out unwanted information or stimuli, focusing on selective exclusion.

become oblivious to

Implies a state of unawareness, often unintentional, where something is simply not noticed.

lose awareness of

Indicates a gradual fading of consciousness or attention, often due to distraction or fatigue.

disregard intentionally

Suggests consciously ignoring or paying no attention to something, highlighting the deliberate nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "blank out" in a sentence?

You can use "blank out" to describe forgetting something completely or losing consciousness temporarily. For example, "I sometimes "blank out" when I'm nervous" or "The screen "blanked out" during the storm".

What are some synonyms for "blank out"?

Alternatives to "blank out" include "erase from memory", "block out", or "forget completely", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "blank out" instead of "forget"?

While both "blank out" and "forget" involve a loss of memory, "blank out" often implies a more sudden or complete loss. "Forget" is a more general term. Choose the one that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "blank out" and "block out"?

"Blank out" typically refers to a loss of memory or consciousness, while "block out" suggests intentionally preventing something from entering one's awareness, like sounds or distractions.