What are the definitions of “shut out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Exclude.
You have to SHUT your feelings OUT to deal with it.
- 2Not allow a player or team to score.
The Dodgers SHUT OUT the Giants 3-0.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “shut out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb shut out is to exclude someone or something, either emotionally or physically. It can also mean to prevent a player or team from scoring in a sports game.
What are the different verb forms of “shut out”?
| Root Verb | shut out |
| Third Person Singular Present | shuts out |
| Present Participle | shutting out |
| Simple Past | shut out |
| Past Participle | shut out |
Example
She shut out her friends when she was upset.
Example
He shuts out his family when he's angry.
Example
They are shutting out their emotions to focus on the task.
Example
The team shut out their opponents in the game.
Example
She felt shut out by her friends after the argument.
What kind of phrasal verb is “shut out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“shut out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She shut out her friends when she was upset.
Example
The team shut out their opponents in the game.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“shut out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She shut out her friends when she was upset.
Example
The team shut out their opponents in the game.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “shut out”?
Good things to know
Does “shut out” have an informal or formal tone?
Shut out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as sports commentary or discussions about exclusion.
