shut out

Idioms  

1. Exclude, deny entry to, block, as in Anyone convicted of a crime is shut out from the legal profession , or These curtains shut out all the light . [Late 1300s]

2. Prevent an opponent from scoring, as in They were shut out of the last two games , or Reagan shut out Ford in the Texas primary in 1976. Originating in baseball about 1880, this usage was later transferred to other sports and then even broader usage.

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Example Sentences

A long history of art robberies shows that museums may never quite be able to shut out thieves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony each hit solo home runs in the fourth inning, and five relievers shut out the Dominican over the final 4⅔ innings.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

A Filipino nurse in Dubai who asked to be identified as Jane said she continues to report to work while trying to "emotionally shut out" the constant noise.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

"When you close certain doors off to protect yourself, you also shut out a lot of positive things," he told BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

I could not shut out this chaos I would fell indeed, I would go mad, and there was no shutting it out.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin