Phrasal verb
butt out
Definition
phr.v. to stop getting involved in something that is not your business.
phr.v. to cease meddling or interfering in a matter that is not one's concern. The verb is intransitive and functions as a forceful directive.
Examples
“This is a private conversation, so butt out.”
“I told my brother to butt out when he started giving me unwanted advice about my relationship.”
“The local council was advised to butt out of the private dispute between the two developers, as any intervention could lead to a conflict of interest.”
Examples
simple
“This is a private conversation, so butt out.”
contextual
“I told my brother to butt out when he started giving me unwanted advice about my relationship.”
complex
“The local council was advised to butt out of the private dispute between the two developers, as any intervention could lead to a conflict of interest.”
Usage
Intransitive; often used in the imperative mood as a command.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'mind your own business' (similar meaning) and 'stay out of it' (slightly more neutral); note that it is almost always used as an imperative or in the infinitive.
This expression is quite rude and confrontational; students should be warned that using it can easily cause an argument.
Pitfall
He told me to butt out of.
He told me to butt out.
While you can 'butt out of a conversation', the phrase is most commonly used alone as an intransitive command.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
butt + out (+ of + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/butt-out