blanked off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blanked off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been obscured, removed, or made inaccessible, often in a visual or metaphorical sense. Example: "The old section of the building was blanked off during renovations to ensure safety for the workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The gallery should be blanked off with obscured glass screens, or similar, on the sides directly facing the Neo building.

The Guardian - Arts

Welles was right: there's an entire span of American experience that has been blanked off screens because Welles wasn't here to reveal it.

The New Yorker

When not in use, the secondary turbo is blanked off by a valve to prevent turbulence caused by air from finding its way to where it is not needed.

Independent

The ends of the stubs are blanked off to short-circuit them.

Wikipedia

To ease maintenance and lubrication, panels of air-smoothed casing ahead of the cylinders were removed from 1952, and the front sanders were blanked off.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A change from superimposed orientations to a single orientation has 2 underlying constituents: A switch from one orientation to blank (off-component), and an overlaid continuous presentation of the orthogonal orientation (sustained, adaptive component).

Cerebral Cortex

In "Match Game" clues, Ed was always freezing his blank off; Susie always needed to find a guy who could blank in five minutes; Pete loved girls who had gigantic blanks.

The New York Times - Arts

By blanking it off, they haven't got the advantage they were looking for, but they haven't got the downside either.

BBC

Cold piped air - with a national power blackout imminent due to record use of air-conditioners, the temperature at each show was a good indicator of status - emerged from discretely blanked-off alcoves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He uses this device to punctuate sparingly large, otherwise blank, off-white canvases.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of that comic relief comes from what the show calls "blanks" — off-the-grid people with (to borrow the title of Mr. Gibson's coming novel) "zero history".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blanked off" when describing a physical barrier or obstruction that prevents access or visibility. For instance, "The construction site was blanked off to prevent pedestrian traffic."

Common error

Avoid using "blanked off" when a more specific term like "sealed", "closed", or "covered" would be more accurate. "Blanked off" typically implies a temporary or less formal obstruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blanked off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where "blank" acts as a verb and "off" as a particle modifying its meaning. As shown in Ludwig, it describes the act of obscuring or blocking something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "blanked off" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes the act of obscuring or blocking something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and suggests it is often used to indicate that something has been made inaccessible or invisible. While predominantly neutral in register, it appears more frequently in contexts like "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science", suggesting a leaning towards technical or informal usage. When writing, consider whether a more precise term like "sealed off" or "blocked off" might be more appropriate, particularly in formal settings. Ultimately, "blanked off" serves as a useful term when you need to express that something has been intentionally obscured or obstructed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sealed off

Implies a complete closure, preventing anything from passing through.

Blocked off

Suggests an obstruction or barrier, preventing access or passage.

Covered up

Indicates concealment or hiding something from view.

Obscured

Means to make something difficult to see or understand.

Masked

Suggests concealing something, often with the intention of disguise.

Shut off

Indicates stopping the flow or operation of something.

Screened off

Implies using a screen or barrier to separate or hide something.

Removed

Indicates taking something away or eliminating it.

Blacked out

Implies that something is visually obstructed and darkened.

Cordoned off

Indicates that an area has been secured with a barrier, typically by authorities.

FAQs

What does "blanked off" mean?

The phrase "blanked off" generally means to obscure, block, or cover something, often to prevent access or visibility. It suggests a physical barrier or obstruction.

What's a good substitute for "blanked off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sealed off", "blocked off", or "covered up". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "blanked off" in a sentence?

You might say, "The old tunnel entrance was blanked off with concrete blocks" to indicate that the entrance has been physically blocked. Or "The section of the document was blanked off from public access"

Is it correct to use "blanked off" in formal writing?

While "blanked off" is grammatically correct, it may be more appropriate for informal or technical contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "sealed off" or "blocked off" for greater precision.