shout down

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Definition

Phrasal Verb: - To silence or overwhelm someone by shouting louder than them, typically in a public setting like a meeting or debate, preventing them from being heard.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe the act of using loud, collective, or persistent shouting to drown out a speaker. It implies an attempt to suppress speech or opinion through force of volume rather than through argument. It is transitive and requires an object (the person or people being shouted down).

Examples
  • The angry crowd tried to shout down the controversial speaker.
  • During the heated town hall meeting, several attendees were shouted down when they tried to ask questions.
  • He was unable to present his findings because the opposition shouted him down.
Advanced Usage
  • Passive Voice: Commonly used in the passive voice ("to be shouted down") to emphasize the experience of the person being silenced.
    • The protestors were shouted down by a much larger group of counter-demonstrators.
  • Figurative Use: Can be used somewhat figuratively to describe overwhelming criticism or opposition in written or online forums, though the core idea of "drowning out" remains.
    • Her dissenting comments on the forum were quickly shouted down by the majority.
Variants and Related Words
  • Shout (v): To utter a loud cry.
  • Outshout (v): To shout louder than. (This is a close synonym but less common as a fixed phrase than "shout down".)
Synonyms
  • Drown out: To make a sound inaudible by producing a louder sound.
  • Outcry (v): (Less common as a verb) To cry out louder than.
  • Overwhelm: To overpower, especially with force or numbers.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Talk over: To interrupt or speak while someone else is speaking, making it difficult for them to continue. (This is similar but does not necessarily involve shouting.)
  • Boo off (the stage): To express loud disapproval for a performer until they leave the stage.
Related Idioms
  • Give someone a hearing: The opposite concept; to listen to someone's arguments or opinions.
    • Instead of shouting him down, they decided to give him a hearing.
Verb
  1. silence or overwhelm by shouting

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