zone out
zone out — phrasal verb
- zone outbase form
- zones out3rd person singular
- zoning out-ing form
- zoned outpast simple
1. to let your attention drift away from the present situation for a short time, so
to let your attention drift away from the present situation for a short time, so you miss what is happening around you
Padma zoned out during the safety briefing and missed the evacuation instructions.
zone out during + briefing
Aylin tends to zone out when several people speak at once.
zone out when + clause
The trainee suddenly zoned out and stopped following the demonstration.
Emily caught herself zoning out near the end of the webinar.
- drift off
can also suggest becoming sleepy
- lose focus
more neutral and less informal
- pay attention
keep noticing and listening
- focus
direct your mind to the task
文法句型
zone out
zone out during + noun phrase
用法筆記
Informal. It usually describes a short loss of attention, not a deliberate refusal to listen.
常見錯誤
zone out — verb
- zone outpresent simple I / you / we / they
- zones out3rd person singular
- zoning out-ing form
- zoned outpast simple
1. to mentally disconnect from the place or people around you, often as a way to re
to mentally disconnect from the place or people around you, often as a way to rest or relax
After dinner, Amira zoned out on the sofa with soft music playing.
zone out after relaxing activity
Ilan likes to zone out by watching rain move down the window.
zone out by + -ing
The nurse zoned out for ten quiet minutes between emergency calls.
Eve zoned out in the garden until her shoulders finally relaxed.
- switch off
often means stop thinking about work or problems
- unwind
focuses more on becoming relaxed
- stay alert
remain mentally ready and aware
- engage
take an active mental part
文法句型
zone out
zone out after + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense often has a neutral or mildly positive feel: the person is mentally stepping away for a short rest.
常見錯誤
2. to lose focus for a moment because you are tired, bored, or mentally overloaded
to lose focus for a moment because you are tired, bored, or mentally overloaded
Haruto zoned out in chemistry after sleeping only three hours.
zone out in + class
Elena started to zone out while reading the dense contract.
start to zone out while + -ing
Christopher zoned out during the budget talk and forgot his question.
Zuri keeps zoning out whenever the meeting runs past lunch.
- lose concentration
more formal and direct
- tune out
often means stop listening to a particular sound or speaker
- concentrate
keep your mind on one task
- listen closely
pay careful attention to what is being said
文法句型
zone out in + noun phrase
zone out while + -ing
用法筆記
This sense usually explains an accidental lapse in concentration caused by boredom, fatigue, or mental overload.