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screen out

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To check people or things carefully and remove the ones that do not meet the right requirements.

Literal meaning: To screen (test/evaluate) and eliminate something out (from the group).

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To exclude unsuitable candidates, applicants, or items following a formal evaluation or selection process.

"The initial interviews were designed to screen out candidates who lacked the required technical skills."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To block or prevent unwanted stimuli, noise, calls, or information from reaching someone.

"She put on headphones to screen out the noise from the open-plan office."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 formal

In medicine, to test a population in order to identify and exclude those with a particular condition or risk factor from a group.

"Blood donors are screened out if they have recently travelled to certain high-risk regions."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Common in HR, medical, academic, and security contexts. Also used figuratively (screen out distractions, screen out unwanted calls). A common and broadly useful verb phrase in professional English.

Commonly used with

candidates applicants noise calls distractions risks

Forms

Base
screen out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
screens out
he/she/it
Past simple
screened out
yesterday
Past participle
screened out
have + pp
-ing form
screening out
continuous

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Synonyms

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