tune out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Stop paying attention to a sound, message, or event
Why “out”? Awareness is like a lamp. For a time the light is gone: a person faints, or attention and memory fade.
“The class tuned out during the long speech.”
“Mia tuned out the chatter and finished her book.”
“Try to tune the traffic noise out while you work.”
Don't confuse with
Tune out means stop paying attention. Tune in means begin watching or listening.
Test yourself
“The class tuned out during the long speech.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
tune in
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin watching or listening
black out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Lose consciousness briefly
blank out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Suddenly fail to remember or think of something
knock out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Hit someone unconscious
pass out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Distribute around a group; Lose consciousness
space out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Lose focus and start daydreaming
zone out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Stop paying attention because you are tired or distracted
tune up
Same base verb: tune
Adjust an engine or instrument so it works at its best
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