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What does “swich off†mean exactly in this sentence?
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I need some help to interpret a sentence. I would like to know what "switch it off" means here for a native speaker. The girl here is thinking about how some people have the ability (which she doesn't have) to remember music and to always hear music in their minds. (The garage is the place where the girl works):
Whenever anything did get stuck in her head— a jingle from a television commercial, some popular tune— she found it claustrophobic and couldn’t wait for it to stop. When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune
it out or switch it off if it got tiresome, but now she wondered if this was a shortcoming on her part.
Does "switch off" mean "turn off physically the stereo or the music", or just the mental action of ignoring it?
meaning interpretation
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
I need some help to interpret a sentence. I would like to know what "switch it off" means here for a native speaker. The girl here is thinking about how some people have the ability (which she doesn't have) to remember music and to always hear music in their minds. (The garage is the place where the girl works):
Whenever anything did get stuck in her head— a jingle from a television commercial, some popular tune— she found it claustrophobic and couldn’t wait for it to stop. When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune
it out or switch it off if it got tiresome, but now she wondered if this was a shortcoming on her part.
Does "switch off" mean "turn off physically the stereo or the music", or just the mental action of ignoring it?
meaning interpretation
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
I need some help to interpret a sentence. I would like to know what "switch it off" means here for a native speaker. The girl here is thinking about how some people have the ability (which she doesn't have) to remember music and to always hear music in their minds. (The garage is the place where the girl works):
Whenever anything did get stuck in her head— a jingle from a television commercial, some popular tune— she found it claustrophobic and couldn’t wait for it to stop. When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune
it out or switch it off if it got tiresome, but now she wondered if this was a shortcoming on her part.
Does "switch off" mean "turn off physically the stereo or the music", or just the mental action of ignoring it?
meaning interpretation
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
I need some help to interpret a sentence. I would like to know what "switch it off" means here for a native speaker. The girl here is thinking about how some people have the ability (which she doesn't have) to remember music and to always hear music in their minds. (The garage is the place where the girl works):
Whenever anything did get stuck in her head— a jingle from a television commercial, some popular tune— she found it claustrophobic and couldn’t wait for it to stop. When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune
it out or switch it off if it got tiresome, but now she wondered if this was a shortcoming on her part.
Does "switch off" mean "turn off physically the stereo or the music", or just the mental action of ignoring it?
meaning interpretation
meaning interpretation
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
asked 59 mins ago
Gliuò
1559
1559
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
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up vote
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When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune it out or switch it off . . .
Switch off is used literally to designate turning or flipping a switch to end the functioning of a machine or appliance. But it may also be used metaphorically of mental function: we might speak of "switching off" your attention to some phenomenon.
In your example, where actual music is being played, switch off is probably meant literally, since it contrasts with tune out, a similar expression (drawn from 'tuning' a radio to a particular channel) which today is almost always employed metaphorically.
PARAPHRASE:
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could ignore it or turn the stereo off . . .
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I take it you understand the actual meaning of "switch it off", but you don't know what "it" refers to in this context? Truthfully, the sentence is confusing, even to native speakers. In the end we just have to make a best guess based on the overall point of the passage. It's more about good, general reading comprehension than any understanding of individual words.
Here the character is describing a personal trait where, once she gets something stuck in her head, she can't get it out. Because this trait is the focus of the passage, we can assume "it" also refers to the trait, or to the thing that is stuck in her head.
The author's use of "switch off" makes this even more confusing, because it's a physical action, and you would expect this apply to the actual stereo system. But again, in the context of the passage it makes little sense for the character to say she can switch off the music was playing -- instead it makes more sense to suggest that external, background noise can help her turn off the internal noise.
Alternately, the character is saying that she can tune out external background noise so it does not get stuck in her head, but again this is strange since she just said she "couldn't stand for it to stop".
So any way we read the passage, it doesn't really make sense. This is just poor writing, or at least poor editing since a professional editor should have caught this confusing passage and asked the author to rephrase.
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune it out or switch it off . . .
Switch off is used literally to designate turning or flipping a switch to end the functioning of a machine or appliance. But it may also be used metaphorically of mental function: we might speak of "switching off" your attention to some phenomenon.
In your example, where actual music is being played, switch off is probably meant literally, since it contrasts with tune out, a similar expression (drawn from 'tuning' a radio to a particular channel) which today is almost always employed metaphorically.
PARAPHRASE:
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could ignore it or turn the stereo off . . .
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune it out or switch it off . . .
Switch off is used literally to designate turning or flipping a switch to end the functioning of a machine or appliance. But it may also be used metaphorically of mental function: we might speak of "switching off" your attention to some phenomenon.
In your example, where actual music is being played, switch off is probably meant literally, since it contrasts with tune out, a similar expression (drawn from 'tuning' a radio to a particular channel) which today is almost always employed metaphorically.
PARAPHRASE:
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could ignore it or turn the stereo off . . .
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune it out or switch it off . . .
Switch off is used literally to designate turning or flipping a switch to end the functioning of a machine or appliance. But it may also be used metaphorically of mental function: we might speak of "switching off" your attention to some phenomenon.
In your example, where actual music is being played, switch off is probably meant literally, since it contrasts with tune out, a similar expression (drawn from 'tuning' a radio to a particular channel) which today is almost always employed metaphorically.
PARAPHRASE:
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could ignore it or turn the stereo off . . .
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could tune it out or switch it off . . .
Switch off is used literally to designate turning or flipping a switch to end the functioning of a machine or appliance. But it may also be used metaphorically of mental function: we might speak of "switching off" your attention to some phenomenon.
In your example, where actual music is being played, switch off is probably meant literally, since it contrasts with tune out, a similar expression (drawn from 'tuning' a radio to a particular channel) which today is almost always employed metaphorically.
PARAPHRASE:
When music was playing on a stereo or in the garage, she could ignore it or turn the stereo off . . .
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
answered 46 mins ago
StoneyB
168k10228404
168k10228404
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
Clearly, here the contrast is physical versus mental. I would not use switch off for tuning out. If I were making noise (singing or talking), someone might tell me: switch it off. In other words, shut up. I switched off my brain, yes,too.
– Lambie
35 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
@Lambie - I agree in this case, although it's probably worth noting that switch is indeed often used metaphorically. For example, sports commentators often talk about players or teams who can "flip a switch" during the playoffs.
– J.R.♦
29 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I take it you understand the actual meaning of "switch it off", but you don't know what "it" refers to in this context? Truthfully, the sentence is confusing, even to native speakers. In the end we just have to make a best guess based on the overall point of the passage. It's more about good, general reading comprehension than any understanding of individual words.
Here the character is describing a personal trait where, once she gets something stuck in her head, she can't get it out. Because this trait is the focus of the passage, we can assume "it" also refers to the trait, or to the thing that is stuck in her head.
The author's use of "switch off" makes this even more confusing, because it's a physical action, and you would expect this apply to the actual stereo system. But again, in the context of the passage it makes little sense for the character to say she can switch off the music was playing -- instead it makes more sense to suggest that external, background noise can help her turn off the internal noise.
Alternately, the character is saying that she can tune out external background noise so it does not get stuck in her head, but again this is strange since she just said she "couldn't stand for it to stop".
So any way we read the passage, it doesn't really make sense. This is just poor writing, or at least poor editing since a professional editor should have caught this confusing passage and asked the author to rephrase.
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I take it you understand the actual meaning of "switch it off", but you don't know what "it" refers to in this context? Truthfully, the sentence is confusing, even to native speakers. In the end we just have to make a best guess based on the overall point of the passage. It's more about good, general reading comprehension than any understanding of individual words.
Here the character is describing a personal trait where, once she gets something stuck in her head, she can't get it out. Because this trait is the focus of the passage, we can assume "it" also refers to the trait, or to the thing that is stuck in her head.
The author's use of "switch off" makes this even more confusing, because it's a physical action, and you would expect this apply to the actual stereo system. But again, in the context of the passage it makes little sense for the character to say she can switch off the music was playing -- instead it makes more sense to suggest that external, background noise can help her turn off the internal noise.
Alternately, the character is saying that she can tune out external background noise so it does not get stuck in her head, but again this is strange since she just said she "couldn't stand for it to stop".
So any way we read the passage, it doesn't really make sense. This is just poor writing, or at least poor editing since a professional editor should have caught this confusing passage and asked the author to rephrase.
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I take it you understand the actual meaning of "switch it off", but you don't know what "it" refers to in this context? Truthfully, the sentence is confusing, even to native speakers. In the end we just have to make a best guess based on the overall point of the passage. It's more about good, general reading comprehension than any understanding of individual words.
Here the character is describing a personal trait where, once she gets something stuck in her head, she can't get it out. Because this trait is the focus of the passage, we can assume "it" also refers to the trait, or to the thing that is stuck in her head.
The author's use of "switch off" makes this even more confusing, because it's a physical action, and you would expect this apply to the actual stereo system. But again, in the context of the passage it makes little sense for the character to say she can switch off the music was playing -- instead it makes more sense to suggest that external, background noise can help her turn off the internal noise.
Alternately, the character is saying that she can tune out external background noise so it does not get stuck in her head, but again this is strange since she just said she "couldn't stand for it to stop".
So any way we read the passage, it doesn't really make sense. This is just poor writing, or at least poor editing since a professional editor should have caught this confusing passage and asked the author to rephrase.
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
I take it you understand the actual meaning of "switch it off", but you don't know what "it" refers to in this context? Truthfully, the sentence is confusing, even to native speakers. In the end we just have to make a best guess based on the overall point of the passage. It's more about good, general reading comprehension than any understanding of individual words.
Here the character is describing a personal trait where, once she gets something stuck in her head, she can't get it out. Because this trait is the focus of the passage, we can assume "it" also refers to the trait, or to the thing that is stuck in her head.
The author's use of "switch off" makes this even more confusing, because it's a physical action, and you would expect this apply to the actual stereo system. But again, in the context of the passage it makes little sense for the character to say she can switch off the music was playing -- instead it makes more sense to suggest that external, background noise can help her turn off the internal noise.
Alternately, the character is saying that she can tune out external background noise so it does not get stuck in her head, but again this is strange since she just said she "couldn't stand for it to stop".
So any way we read the passage, it doesn't really make sense. This is just poor writing, or at least poor editing since a professional editor should have caught this confusing passage and asked the author to rephrase.
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
edited 30 mins ago
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
answered 48 mins ago
Andrew
60.7k569136
60.7k569136
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
1
1
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
I was in the process of writing the same thing. This author is playing a little fast and loose with her its. In the noted sentence, "it" first refers to the sound of the music and then to a device playing the music. In the previous sentence: "she couldn't wait for it to stop -> "it" is the music, but just before that "found it claustrophobic" -> "it" is the feeling produced in her by the music.
– Juhasz
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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