shut out

To stop someone or something from entering a place or being included.

• These curtains shut out the light.
• They shut us out of the meeting.
• A thick door shuts out most street noise.

How to use it: shut someone/something out of something (The new rules shut small firms out of the market.)

Similar words: exclude, keep out, block

Opposites: admit, include

Common phrases: shut out noise, shut out someone, shut out light

To stop someone from getting close to you by refusing to share your thoughts or feelings.

• Please do not shut me out.
• After the loss, she shut out her closest friends.
• He shuts his partner out whenever they discuss his feelings.

How to use it: shut someone out (When he feels hurt, he shuts his family out.)

Similar words: distance yourself from, withdraw from

Common phrases: shut out someone, shut out friends, shut out family

To stop the other team or player from scoring any points or goals.

• We shut out the other team.
• Their goalkeeper shut us out for the whole match.
• The pitcher shut out the home team yesterday.

How to use it: shut someone out (Our team shut the visitors out in the final.)

Common phrases: shut out opponents, shut out someone, shut out rivals

To prevent you from seeing something by being in front of it.

• The wall shuts out the view.
• New buildings shut out the hills behind our house.
• Tall trees had shut out much of the sky.

How to use it: shut something out (The tall hedge shuts the hills out completely.)

Similar words: hide, obscure, block

Opposites: reveal

Common phrases: shut out views, shut out something, shut out scenery