to block out
14
3.0
- phrasal verb
- /blɑk aʊt/
:
bloquear
- A photographer's black hood covered his head to block out the cabin light.
- block out sunlight
- block out the sun
So put an eye mask on, make sure you block out noise, ear plugs.
- So put an eye mask on, make sure you block out noise, ear plugs.
- You can slide a hatch across to like, block out the window view.
- And that would be the folks whose egocentricity always blocks out the sun.
- And I'd have the zinc oxide on the nose and the giant crazy sunglasses that block out sidelight.
- So we're just hoping they get here before spring to block out the light.
- Yeah, But when we when ELO was a kid, there was no wall around Greater Israel that blocked out the West Bank and Gaza.
- So head mounted displays block the whole world out and only allow you to use whatever virtual environment we're showing.
Examples
-
All the doors and the windows have been reinforced to block out all exterior noise and to maintain your temperature settings.
-
The front door opens, and a tall, broad form moves into the living room, blocking out the summer light.
Fiction book (2000) -
So we're just hoping they get here before spring to block out the light.
-
First we must block out the window.
-
- Oh, I just would love something that blocks out all the light.
-
I closed them as if to block out strong sunlight.
Fiction book (1997) -
Today my singing can be blocked out by these headphones.
-
We installed heavy curtains to block out the morning light so we could sleep longer.
-
The new insulation on the walls helps to block out the cold air during winter.
-
She wore sunglasses to block out the bright sunlight while walking outside.
Synonyms
∞
3.0
To stop movement, access, or progress
176
4.8
To stop public protest by force or by people in power
172
1.3
To stop people or things from entering a place
119
5.1
To block a path or view
111
3.7
To cover part of something to hide or protect it
99
3.8
To stop something from entering, being included, or being thought about
37
3.5
To make a sound so loud that you cannot hear another sound
29
3.9
Hide someone or something to protect them from view and harm
24
3.9
Stop people or vehicles from entering a place
23
3.8
Close a road, path or entrance so people cannot go through
8
5.4
Hide something so you cannot see it or remember it
6
6.4
To stop a supply by blocking its source or flow
5
8.4
Block an opening to stop the flow of liquid or air
4
3.8
To stop movement through a road, pipe, or path
1
7.5
To use a barrier to reduce sound or fluid flow
To block an opening to stop liquid or gas passing through
To make a place or screen completely dark so no light shows
Antonyms
How Blocked
457
2.5
5
3.7
14
3.0
64
5.8
16
4.4
∞
1.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
block + out
The meaning is directly compositional: 'block' in the sense of obstruct or stop combined with the directional/particle 'out' yields 'prevent from entering or being noticed' (e.g., light or noise). This verb+particle pattern is a common, predictable English construction and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Block out The verb block out paints a simple picture: you put curtains or a board to block the light out so it cannot come into a room. That's why it means 'to prevent light, sound, or air from entering'.