zone out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Stop paying attention because you are tired or distracted
Why “out”? Awareness is like a lamp. For a time the light is gone: a person faints, or attention and memory fade.
“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: 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
tune out
Same out pattern: losing awareness
Stop paying attention to a sound, message, or event
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