What Does “Block sth out” Mean?
“Block sth out” means to stop yourself from thinking about or noticing something unpleasant, or to cover or prevent something from being seen or heard.
Introduction
The phrase “block sth out” is a common phrasal verb in English. It is often used when someone wants to avoid thinking about bad memories or distractions. The block sth out meaning can also refer to physically covering something, like blocking out light or noise. This phrase is useful in both emotional and practical contexts. Understanding how to use “block sth out” helps you express ideas about ignoring feelings or controlling your environment. In everyday English, you might hear it when people talk about forgetting painful experiences or preventing disturbances.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: block sth out → block something out
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Meaning: To stop yourself from thinking about something or to cover/prevent something from being seen/heard
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Block sth out” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can come between the verb and the particle or after the particle.
- block something out
- block sth out
- block out something
Examples:
- She blocked the noise out.
- She blocked out the noise.
- She blocked it out.
How to Use “Block sth out”?
You use “block sth out” when you want to talk about ignoring or forgetting unpleasant thoughts, feelings, or memories. It can also mean physically stopping something from entering your senses, like light or sound. This phrasal verb is often used in emotional contexts, such as dealing with trauma, or in practical situations, such as using curtains to block out sunlight.
Examples
- After the accident, he tried to block out the painful memories.
- I close my eyes to block out the bright light.
- She blocked out the noise from the construction site while studying.
- He blocked the negative comments out and focused on his work.
- We used blackout curtains to block out the sun during the day.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I block out the noise it.
- Correct: I block it out.
- Incorrect: She blocked out to the bad memories.
- Correct: She blocked out the bad memories.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “shut out” and “tune out.” However, “block sth out” often implies an active effort to ignore or forget something unpleasant or to physically cover something.
- Shut out: Usually means to prevent someone from entering or to ignore feelings.
- Tune out: Means to stop paying attention, especially to sounds or distractions.
- Block sth out: Emphasizes both mental and physical blocking, often with an emotional focus.
Common Collocations
- block out noise
- block out light
- block out memories
- block out distractions
- block out negative thoughts
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of block sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I can’t stop thinking about the argument we had.
John: Maybe you should try to block it out for a while and focus on something else.
Anna: That’s a good idea. I’ll try to block out those thoughts and relax.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “block sth out”:
- She tried to ________ the loud noise while studying.
- He wants to ________ the bad memories from his mind.
- We used heavy curtains to ________ the sunlight.
FAQs
- Q: Can “block sth out” be used for both mental and physical blocking?
A: Yes, it can mean ignoring thoughts or covering something physically. - Q: Is “block sth out” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “block” and “out” or after “out.” - Q: What is a common mistake when using “block sth out”?
A: Incorrect word order, such as placing the object in the wrong position. - Q: Can I use “block sth out” with any object?
A: Usually with things like noise, light, memories, or distractions. - Q: How does “block sth out” differ from “tune out”?
A: “Block sth out” often involves active effort, while “tune out” is more passive ignoring.
