block out
Britishverb
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to plan or describe (something) in a general fashion
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to prevent the entry or consideration of (something)
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photog printing to mask part of (a negative), in order that light may not pass through it
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They are 68% more likely to block out time for thinking and 50% more likely to consciously track their time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“The larger world, if it doesn’t directly impact the day-to-day,” she told me, “becomes chaff that you kind of block out because you’re so focused on trying to survive this crucible that you’re in.”
From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026
So when it comes to an actual rush round, they can kind of block out the noise and concentrate on being genuine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
“We can’t just block out one sector of your constituents,” Garcia told the board.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2026
“It’ll only take a second. And I concentrate best when I block out external stimuli, so I wouldn’t waste any time if I were you.”
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
