tune out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tune out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that can be used to describe someone mentally disengaging from something, usually by not paying attention. For example, "I could tell my parents were starting to argue, so I decided to tune out and finish my homework".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They tune out anything".

The New York Times

Many just tune out.

The New York Times

You simply tune out.

The New York Times

But he doesn't tune out.

The New York Times - Magazine

I tune out the lyrics.

The New York Times - Arts

How to tune out the mounting madness?

The New Yorker

Too much information makes pedestrians tune out.

The New York Times

Eventually, some stumble and tune out.

MIT Technology Review

(Most Americans chose to tune out completely).

The New York Times

We had already begun to tune out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They will tune-out within seconds.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tune out" when you want to convey a deliberate or unconscious act of disengaging from stimuli, whether it's a conversation, noise, or a distracting environment. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being tuned out.

Common error

Avoid using "tune out" when you mean a lack of awareness due to ignorance rather than intentional disengagement. For example, instead of saying "He tuned out the safety instructions because he didn't care", consider "He was unaware of the safety instructions because he wasn't paying attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "tune out" functions as a verb of disengagement, indicating a deliberate or subconscious act of ignoring or ceasing to pay attention to something. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts, such as "They tune out anything" or "I tune out the lyrics".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

17%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tune out" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrasal verb that describes the act of disengaging or ignoring something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in wikis and academic settings. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, be mindful of the intentionality behind the act of tuning out, ensuring it aligns with the context. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "zone out", "block out", or "switch off" to add variety to your language. The frequent appearance of the phrase "tune out" in sources like The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptance and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

zone out

Implies a complete mental detachment or daydreaming.

space out

Similar to "zone out", suggesting a temporary mental absence.

switch off

Suggests a deliberate act of disengaging, often from a conversation or activity.

block out

Implies actively preventing something from affecting you.

disengage from

A more formal way of saying to detach or withdraw from something.

ignore

A simple and direct way of saying to pay no attention to something.

pay no attention

A more descriptive way of saying to ignore something.

not heed

A formal way of saying to disregard or ignore advice or warnings.

turn a deaf ear to

An idiomatic way of saying to ignore someone's requests or complaints.

be oblivious to

Suggests being unaware of something, often because you are not paying attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "tune out" to describe ignoring distractions or disengaging from a conversation. For instance, "I had to "tune out" the noise to concentrate on my work" or "She decided to "tune out" the argument and read a book".

What are some alternatives to "tune out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ignore", "block out", or "switch off" instead of "tune out".

Is it correct to say "tuned out of" something?

Yes, you can say "tuned out of" something. For example, "I tuned out of the meeting because it was unproductive". The preposition "of" indicates what you are disengaging from.

What's the difference between "tune out" and "zone out"?

"Tune out" typically implies a more conscious effort to ignore something, whereas "zone out" suggests a more passive or unintentional mental disengagement. You might "tune out" a loud noise, but you might "zone out" during a boring lecture.