Browse all

blot out

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To completely hide or get rid of something — like erasing it with a big ink blot.

Literal meaning: To place a blot (a mark of ink) over writing so it can no longer be read — to obliterate by covering.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To cover or obscure something so completely that it cannot be seen.

"Dark storm clouds blotted out the sun within minutes."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To deliberately suppress or erase a painful memory or thought from one's mind.

"He turned to alcohol to blot out the guilt he felt about the accident."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal

To destroy or eliminate something or someone completely (literary or dramatic).

"The volcanic eruption blotted out several villages and entire ecosystems."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Used both literally (obscuring light, the sun) and figuratively (erasing memories, guilt). The figurative sense is very common. Often implies a deliberate effort to eliminate something unwanted.

Commonly used with

sun sky memory past pain guilt view

Forms

Base
blot out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
blots out
he/she/it
Past simple
bloted out
yesterday
Past participle
bloted out
have + pp
-ing form
bloting out
continuous

Understand "blot out" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

block out obliterate erase suppress wipe out obscure

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "blot out" on Looplines