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block off vs block out

Both 'block off' and 'block out' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Block off' is used to indicate the action of closing or obstructing an area, while 'block out' is used to describe the act of ignoring or preventing something from entering one's mind.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1263 views

block off

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

It is used to indicate the action of closing or obstructing an area, such as blocking off a street for construction.

Examples:

The police blocked off the road after the accident.
We need to block off this area for safety reasons.
They will block off the entrance during the event.
Please block off some time in your schedule for this meeting.
The fence will block off access to the construction site.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tell me you have a way to block off this road.
This is the only way we can block off the European part of the money that flows to this organisation.
This guy has nothing on him to help with the train, but if I can hardwire into the train's computer, then I can build a firewall to block off the incoming signal that's controlling it.
We need to block off the street.
Mr President, with the best will in the world I have to say it is intolerable that when we need to be here by 3 o'clock people have the nerve to block off all the lifts just because a delegation is about to arrive.
I'll knock your block off.
They live a block off the boulevard.
I've counted at least three more paths you intend to block off.
Truck 81, block off this road.
We plan to block off the entire building.
So many bridges and tunnels they can block off.
I think we ought knock his block off.
Trish, you and jimmy take nikki's car, block off that storm drain entrance.
If you were a man, I'd knock your block off.
We'll block off the town limits and nearby main roads.
Get back over that deadline or I'll knock your block off.
Campbell, I see you smirk like that again, I'll knock your block off.
And if all else fails, just knock his block off.
Say it one more time, Larry, and I will knock your block off.
So it will block off the damage caused by his heart attack.

Alternatives:

close off
shut off
seal off
bar off
cordon off

block out

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

It is used to describe the act of ignoring or preventing something from entering one's mind, such as blocking out distractions.

Examples:

She tried to block out the noise by wearing headphones.
He had to block out the negative comments and focus on his work.
I need to block out some time to study for my exams.
The therapist helped her block out traumatic memories.
The team managed to block out the pressure and win the game.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's only supposed to block out malicious Fae.
You need to clear your mind, Block out any outside sound.
After a psychological trauma, the brain tends to block out painful memories.
I modified flight headsets to block out acoustic wavelengths, that's all.
Harvey, you asked me to block out the day for an emergency session, and I did.
To block out this confusing universe she is immersed in, she has to be totally isolated.
Is it difficult to block out people's thoughts?
An advanced optical mask allowed them to block out the light of the star itself, revealing the first direct image of a disc with zones cleared out by orbiting planets.
You know, I need something to block out the sound of the ocean 'cause the waves keep crashing over and over and over again, Steven.
the globe and set fires all over the planet, threw up enough dust to block out the sun.
And the goal is to block out the starlight to incredible precision so that we'd be able to see the planets directly. And it has to be a very special shape, because of the physics of defraction.
I wish somebody'd do something to block out the voices in my head, the voices that scream over and over,
Is That What You Did When You Said You Learned How To Block Out What Happened To You?
After a man's lost everything... anger tends to block out rationality, for a while.
Somehow I managed to block out all these things.
I try to block out the memories.
Perhaps we could recalibrate his shields to block out that one pulse spectrum.
Any sound to block out that voice.
I had to block out everything so that I could survive.

Alternatives:

tune out
shut out
ignore
screen out
blank out

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