shut-out

The factory management ordered a shut-out to pressure the workers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A lockout: In industrial relations, a "shut-out" refers to the act of closing a workplace to prevent workers from entering, typically used as a pressure tactic by employers.
   • A sports shutout: In sports, a "shut-out" is a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring any points or goals.

Usage Examples

• Noun (industrial relations):
  • The factory owners imposed a shut-out to force the union to accept lower wages. (The owners closed the factory to pressure workers.)
• Noun (sports):
  • The goalkeeper achieved a shut-out in the final match. (The goalkeeper prevented the other team from scoring.)

Advanced Usage

• "to pitch a shut-out": In baseball, to pitch a complete game without allowing the opposing team to score.

  • He pitched a shut-out against the rival team. (He pitched a full game with no runs allowed by the opponent.)

• "to record a shut-out": In various sports, to achieve a game with no points conceded.

  • The defense recorded a shut-out in the championship game. (The defense prevented any scoring by the other team.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shutout (n): an alternative spelling without a hyphen, commonly used in sports contexts.

  • The team celebrated their third shutout of the season. (A game with no points allowed.)

• Shut out (v): to prevent someone from entering or participating; to exclude.

  • The company shut out the workers during the strike. (The company barred workers from entering.)

Synonyms

• Lockout: (industrial relations) a work stoppage initiated by the employer.
• Whitewash: (sports, informal) a shut-out, especially in a lopsided victory.

Phrasal Verbs

• Shut out: (verb phrase) to prevent someone from being involved or from scoring.
  • The team shut out their opponents in the second half. (The team prevented the opponents from scoring in the second half.)

Related Idioms

• Shut out the light: to block or exclude light.

  • The heavy curtains shut out the light from the room. (The curtains blocked the light.)

• Shut out the noise: to block or ignore distractions.

  • He used earplugs to shut out the noise of the traffic. (He blocked out the traffic sounds.)