ENGLISH
REFERENCE

butt out

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to stop involving yourself in a situation that does not concern you. You use this when you want someone to mind their own business.

phr. v.. to cease interfering in a matter that is not one's concern; an intransitive, highly informal, and often abrasive imperative.


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.

Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
butt + out (+ of + object)
Usage

highly informal and can be considered rude or aggressive depending on the tone.

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.

Pitfall

Butt out of from my life.Butt out of my life.the particle 'out' is followed by 'of' to introduce an object; do not add 'from'.

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