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Glite Dictionary
to filter out the noise

to filter out the noise

1 3.5
To remove unwanted sounds or information to focus on what matters
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : filtrar el ruido
  • But del Ama says there's a catch, since he also filters out the noise by seeking the top 10% of dividend payers from within the 2nd quintile of overall yields.

Examples

  • During the presentation, the team worked to filter out the noise so they could concentrate on the main arguments.

  • Cells also have internal mechanisms to filter out receptor-ligand binding noise.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The two LIGO interferometers will operate in coincidence so as to filter out local noise.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The e-Nanoflex system uses a small amount of the phone's computing capacity to filter out this noise before transmitting information to cloud computers for further processing.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The Bluetooth-enabled amplifier sends the sensor data to the smartphone, which filters out noise and motion artifacts before sending it to the cloud for further analysis.

    Academic text (2011)

  • When studying for exams, it's important to filter out the noise from social media distractions.

  • To solve the problem effectively, we need to filter out the noise and focus on the key issues.

Synonyms

to focus
vsto filter out the noise
∞ 2.6

To direct attention or thoughts toward something specific

removes distractions and irrelevant details to enable sustained attention and working
to tune out
vsto filter out the noise
  • Informal
19 4.4

To stop listening or paying attention to what is happening

removes irrelevant information deliberately to aid focused attention, not by drifting or boredom
to screen out
vsto filter out the noise
9 4.3

To check and remove people or things that are not wanted

removes irrelevant information to improve focus without formal examination
to clear one's head
vsto filter out the noise
1 3.9

To stop thinking about upsetting or confusing thoughts to feel calmer

removes external irrelevant information to help attention rather than only calming emotions
to clear someone's mind
vsto filter out the noise
1 3.7

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

removes outside distractions and irrelevant information rather than calming inner worry
to block out distractions
vsto filter out the noise
3.5

Ignore noises and other things that interrupt your attention

removes irrelevant information carefully to focus on what is important
to filter out the dross
vsto filter out the noise
  • Informal
7.2

To remove unwanted things so only useful ones remain

removes irrelevant information to focus on importance rather than judging worth

How Focused

to zero in on
44 4.2
to filter out the noise
  • Informal
1 3.5
to tune out
  • Informal
19 4.4

Surface Forms

filter out the noise infinitive
filtered out the noise past
filtered out the noise past participle
filtering out the noise present participle
filters out the noise third person singular

Morphology

filter + out + the + noise

The meaning 'to remove distractions or irrelevant information' is directly and transparently built from 'filter' (to remove or separate unwanted parts) + 'out' (indicating removal) + 'noise' (unwanted data or distractions). This compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrase filter out the noise comes from the image of a filter that keeps dirt back and lets clean water pass, but with noise as unwanted sounds or useless information. So, to filter out the noise means 'to remove distractions and focus on what matters'.