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shut out

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shut someone or something out

to exclude someone or something; to refuse entrance to someone or something. We tried to get into the stadium, but they shut us out because there was no more room. My parents shut out their children when they made important decisions.

See also: out, shut

shut somebody out

also shut out somebody

1. to prevent someone from being a part of something She shut him out of her world and had nothing to do with him. A group of African-American lawyers charged that the law firm shut them out. Movies like his are so unusual that they're basically shut out of consideration for an Oscar.

2. to prevent a competitor from scoring any points The Braves shut out the Dodgers today, 7–0.

See also: out, shut

shut out something

also shut something out

1. to prevent something from entering a place The thick glass windows shut out most of the traffic noise. My eyes can't stand bright light, so I keep the curtains closed to shut the sunlight out.

2. to not think about something She can't shut out the memory of the accident.

See also: out, shut

shut out

1. Exclude, deny entry to, block, as in Anyone convicted of a crime is shut out from the legal profession, or These curtains shut out all the light. [Late 1300s]

2. Prevent an opponent from scoring, as in They were shut out of the last two games, or Reagan shut out Ford in the Texas primary in 1976. Originating in baseball about 1880, this usage was later transferred to other sports and then even broader usage.

See also: out, shut

shut out

v.

1. To exclude something or someone: I used earplugs to shut out the noise. The company shut the unions out of the negotiations. Performers must learn to shut out the crowd. Her husband has shut her out ever since the accident.

2. Sports To prevent some opponent from scoring any runs or points: Our strong defense shut out the other team. They shut us out 14-0 in a playoff game.

See also: out, shut