to unsee something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to unsee something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the desire to forget or ignore something that has been seen, often something unpleasant or shocking. Example: "After watching that horror movie, I wish I could unsee the terrifying scenes that haunted me all night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's hard to unsee something".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The moral consequences of seeing and the fact that one cannot "unsee" something are made concrete throughout "Hiroshima Maiden".

The New York Times

Leading the pack in outfits we would prefer to unsee is Kristen Stewart, who wore something a bit too Disney-inspired for our liking.

Huffington Post

"Every second, I feared I would see something I would never be able to unsee," he says, over the sounds of a shovel scraping through soil.

The New Yorker

There's something across the aisle that will be hard to unsee.

The New York Times

This work is not for everyone, but it is bracing and once seen, impossible to unsee.

The New York Times - Books

The other reason people can't resist looking (and wish to unsee once they do)?

The New York Times

Citizens from one city learn from birth to "unsee" the citizens, vehicles, buildings of the other.

The Guardian - Books

Photographs, impossible to unsee, show him wearing a Hitler moustache; that year, Heidegger told his students, "Let not theories and 'ideas' be the rules of your being.

The New Yorker

"You will see things you will never be able to unsee, and you will do things you will never forgive yourself for".

The New Yorker

Stummerer and Hablesreiter can only hope that once they help people notice that, they won't be able to unsee it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "to unsee something" to emphasize the lasting impact of a visual experience, particularly when it's unpleasant or shocking. For instance, "After witnessing the accident, I desperately wished I could to unsee something".

Common error

Avoid using "to unsee something" in trivial situations. Reserve it for moments when the visual experience is truly disturbing or unforgettable. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to unsee something" functions as a verb phrase expressing the desire or impossibility of reversing a visual experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to unsee something" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey the desire to forget or ignore a visual experience, particularly one that is disturbing or shocking. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while acceptable, it should be reserved for significant visual experiences rather than trivial ones. Alternative phrases, like "erase from memory" or "forget what one has seen", can offer similar meanings. It's a reminder that some images leave a lasting impression, whether we want them to or not.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erase from memory

This alternative focuses on the act of removing something from one's memory.

forget what one has seen

It emphasizes the action of forgetting a visual experience.

obliterate from consciousness

This highlights the removal of something from one's awareness.

wipe from one's mind

This alternative focuses on the act of clearing something from one's thoughts.

wish one hadn't seen it

This expresses regret for having witnessed something.

undo the visual experience

This phrase focuses on reversing the act of seeing.

block out the image

It describes the action of preventing an image from entering one's mind.

purge from awareness

This suggests a complete removal from one's conscious experience.

make oneself blind to it

This phrase refers to a deliberate effort to ignore something seen.

disremember the sight

This is a less common but similar way of expressing the desire to forget something seen.

FAQs

How can I use "to unsee something" in a sentence?

You can use "to unsee something" to describe a situation where you wish you could forget something you have seen, especially if it was disturbing or shocking. For example, "That image is now seared into my brain; I wish I could "erase from memory"".

What is a more formal way to say "to unsee something"?

While "to unsee something" is generally acceptable, a more formal alternative would be to say you wish you could "obliterate from consciousness", or that the image is "indelibly imprinted".

What kind of visual experiences warrant using "to unsee something"?

This phrase is best reserved for visual experiences that are particularly disturbing, shocking, or graphic. Examples include witnessing accidents, viewing explicit content, or seeing something that violates your moral sensibilities.

Is "to unsee something" grammatically correct?

Yes, "to unsee something" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in informal and semi-formal contexts to express the wish to forget something seen. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.