zone out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Stop paying attention because you are tired or distracted
Why “out”? Going outward until nothing remains. Supply is gone.
“I zoned out during the lecture.”
“Sam zoned out on the bus.”
Test yourself
“I zoned out during the lecture.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
black out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Lose consciousness briefly
blank out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Suddenly fail to remember or think of something
blow out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Extinguish a flame by blowing
burn out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become exhausted from overwork; (of a fire) stop burning because there is no fuel left; (of an electrical device) stop working because of overheating; Destroy a building or vehicle by fire
chill out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Relax and stop being anxious
close out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
End or settle a process or account
conk out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Stop working suddenly, especially of an engine or machine
die out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Gradually disappear
Practice “zone out” in Sink In
Drill this and 600+ phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by particle.