When someone stops paying attention to you while you're still talking to them... (?)

Question

Dear All,

I’m looking for the verb or expression which means that the person who you’ve started talking to stops listening to you at some point when you haven't finished yet because something you've said has made them feel it's not worth listening to you any more, or because they have to hurry away, etc.

The italicized part is the most important, I just added the rest to show it's not like he or she wonders far away in thought, but rather that they decide they won't listen to you more at that time.

Please, could you tell me, what could be used? Thank you!

Dave Phillips · Accepted Answer

We would say that you alienated them.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, Dave

This word sounds good!

One more question, please, for the person who reads this:

Would it be also possible to say, "He didn't listen me through" or "He didn't hear me through" by the analogy of "to read through" something?

Thanks in advance!

Dave Phillips · Answer

I would tend to say, "he didn't hear me out!" - Meaning he didn't listen to the end.

I guess you could say, "he didn't hear me through," though this isn't a natural statement to my ear, although I would get your meaning.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much, Dave! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/77.gif' alt='Emotion: happy'/>

When someone stops paying attention to you while you're still talking to them... (?)

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions