# block out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/block-out
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to stop light or sound from entering a room, or to stop yourself from thinking about something unpleasant. You use this when you close the curtains or try to forget a bad memory.

For teachers: to prevent light, sound, or information from being perceived or entering a space. Often used transitively to describe the psychological suppression of unwanted thoughts or memories.

## Examples

- These thick curtains block out the street lights at night.
- She put on her noise-canceling headphones to block out the sound of the construction work next door.
- The witness attempted to block out the traumatic events of the evening, leading to significant gaps in the testimony provided during the cross-examination.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The police blocked out the street for the parade." but "The police blocked off the street for the parade." — block out refers to light, sound, or thoughts, while block off refers to closing a physical area or road.

## Usage notes

- this verb is separable, meaning you can put the object between 'block' and 'out'.
- Teaching tip: useful for discussing sensory input or psychology; compare with 'block off' which is used for physical barriers like road closures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.