block out

USAGE SUMMARY

'block out' is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to refer to something preventing or excluding something else, such as noise or light. An example sentence would be: "She used earplugs to block out the sound of the drill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would block out the sun".

The New York Times

His body seemed to block out light.

The New York Times

I just block out everyone.

The Guardian - Sport

Use yesterday's news to block out today's.

The New Yorker

But the clouds, I thought, would also block out sunlight.

Princeton University

"They are more to block out distractions," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He has ways to block out the criticism.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe they're just trying to block out N.F.L. lockout news.

The New York Times - Sports

When possible, block out interruptions.

Forbes

And boy do they block out noise.

TechCrunch

So how do you block out sour memories?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of mental health, use "block out" to describe the act of suppressing unwanted thoughts or memories, aiding in focus and emotional well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "block out" when a more precise term like "obstruct" or "cover" would be more appropriate for describing physical barriers. "Block out" often implies a more abstract prevention of access or perception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "block out" is as a phrasal verb. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the action of preventing something from entering or being perceived, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples of blocking out distractions or sunlight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

35%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "block out" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the act of preventing something from entering or affecting a person or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and the phrase finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources. While "block out" effectively conveys prevention, it's essential to choose more precise terms like "obstruct" when describing physical barriers. Alternatives such as "screen out" or "shut out" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "block out" remains a valuable tool in the English language for describing both physical and abstract forms of prevention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

screen out

Focuses specifically on filtering or shielding something, often light or information.

shut out

Emphasizes complete exclusion or prevention of entry.

filter out

Suggests selectively removing unwanted elements while allowing others to pass.

blank out

Implies erasing or making something imperceptible, often in a mental context.

tune out

Refers to consciously ignoring or disregarding something, especially sounds or distractions.

exclude

A more formal term for preventing inclusion or participation.

obstruct

Suggests physically preventing passage or visibility.

shield from

Implies protecting someone or something from harm or negative influence.

suppress

Indicates actively preventing something from being expressed or known.

cancel out

Means to neutralize or negate the effect of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "block out" to describe preventing something from entering or affecting you, like "I use earplugs to block out the noise" or "She tried to block out the painful memories".

What does it mean to "block out" something mentally?

To "block out" something mentally means to deliberately suppress or ignore certain thoughts, feelings, or memories. It's similar to trying to "blank out" unwanted mental content to focus or cope with difficult emotions.

Which is correct, "block out" or "block off"?

"Block out" and "block off" have different meanings. "Block out" means to prevent something from entering or affecting you, while "block off" means to obstruct a passage or area, like blocking off a road for construction.

What are some synonyms for "block out" in the context of sound?

In the context of sound, synonyms for "block out" include "tune out", "screen out", or "shut out". These all convey the idea of preventing sound from reaching your ears or consciousness.