block out — avoid remembering
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
To try not to think about or remember something unpleasant or unwanted.
Say it like a native
Textbook She has suppressed all recollection of the accident.
Native She's blocked out the whole accident.
'Block out' is the natural verb for shutting a painful memory away; 'suppressed all recollection' is clinical.
Pattern: block out + noun
In use
- She tries to block out the memories of the accident.relationships
- Some people block out negative experiences as a way to protect their mental health, but I think it's better to talk about them.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He tries to block out from the memory.
✓ He tries to block out the memory.
'Block out' takes the object directly — no 'from'.
Common collocations
block out + memory/feeling— the memory, the pain, it all, everything
Don't confuse it
'Forget' means you can't remember, but 'block out' means you try not to remember.
Related
- block out (prevent light or sound) — Another meaning of 'block out' is 'prevent light or sound'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.