belt out

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to sing a song or play an instrument very loudly, forcefully, and with high energy. It carries a positive, enthusiastic connotation, suggesting the performer is putting their whole heart into the performance.

Examples

• She loves to belt out show tunes while she is driving to work.

  She loves to belt out show tunes while she is driving to work.

• The crowd began to belt out the chorus of the song along with the band.

  The crowd began to belt out the chorus of the song along with the band.

• He can really belt out those high notes without sounding strained.

  He can really belt out those high notes without sounding strained.

• At the karaoke bar, everyone was trying to belt out their favorite power ballads.

  At the karaoke bar, everyone was trying to belt out their favorite power ballads.

• The opera singer belted out the final aria to a standing ovation.

  The opera singer belted out the final aria to a standing ovation.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She sang out the song very loudly.

  ✓ She belted out the song.

  While 'sang loudly' is correct, 'belted out' is the natural phrasal verb native speakers use to describe enthusiastic, powerful singing.

• ✗ He belted out of the national anthem.

  ✓ He belted out the national anthem.

  Do not use the preposition 'of' after 'belt out.' It is a transitive phrasal verb that takes a direct object.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I always hear my roommate ___ pop songs in the shower.

  💡 Sing loudly and enthusiastically

  Show answer

  belt out

• The fans started to ___ the team's anthem as the players walked onto the pitch.

  💡 Sing forcefully in unison

  Show answer

  belt out