Butt out
verb
Stop interfering in something.
It's my life, so butt out!
Often appears as...
- butt out of this
- butt out of my life
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
Stop smoking a cigarette or cigar.
He decided to butt out his cigarette before entering the building.
Often appears as...
- butt out the cigarette
- butt out the cigar
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
Stop interfering in something.
It's my life, so butt out!
Often appears as...
- butt out of this
- butt out of my life
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
Stop smoking a cigarette or cigar.
He decided to butt out his cigarette before entering the building.
Often appears as...
- butt out the cigarette
- butt out the cigar
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Non-literal use
Used metaphorically to tell someone to stop meddling in others' affairs or discussions.
I was arguing with Mark, and Sarah tried to intervene, so I told her to butt out.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
It's a casual phrase and may be considered rude in formal conversations.
During the family dinner, Jason told his sister to butt out, which shocked the grandparents.
Pro Tip 3/3Potentially aggressive
Can sound confrontational; used with caution to avoid escalating conflicts.
When Joe's advice became too overwhelming, Lena snapped, 'Just butt out, Joe!'
Pro Tip 1/3Non-literal use
Used metaphorically to tell someone to stop meddling in others' affairs or discussions.
I was arguing with Mark, and Sarah tried to intervene, so I told her to butt out.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
It's a casual phrase and may be considered rude in formal conversations.
During the family dinner, Jason told his sister to butt out, which shocked the grandparents.
Pro Tip 3/3Potentially aggressive
Can sound confrontational; used with caution to avoid escalating conflicts.
When Joe's advice became too overwhelming, Lena snapped, 'Just butt out, Joe!'
Pro Tip 1/3Non-literal use
Used metaphorically to tell someone to stop meddling in others' affairs or discussions.
I was arguing with Mark, and Sarah tried to intervene, so I told her to butt out.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal
It's a casual phrase and may be considered rude in formal conversations.
During the family dinner, Jason told his sister to butt out, which shocked the grandparents.
Pro Tip 3/3Potentially aggressive
Can sound confrontational; used with caution to avoid escalating conflicts.
When Joe's advice became too overwhelming, Lena snapped, 'Just butt out, Joe!'
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