2
general::
verb ADV. impatiently | rudely What was I saying, before we were so rudely interrupted? | harshly, sharply ‘Don't talk like that!’ he interrupted harshly. | brutally, cruelly, violently Their luncheon was brutally interrupted by gunfire. | abruptly, suddenly | temporarily | constantly, repeatedly The morning's work was constantly interrupted by phone calls. | occasionally, periodically VERB + INTERRUPT be sorry to I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a telephone call for you. | (not) dare (to) It was all irrelevant, but I didn't dare interrupt him in mid-flow. PREP. with I thought it better not to interrupt her with any comment. PHRASES get interrupted I didn't manage to finish the report. I kept getting interrupted.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
when someone is speakng
interrupt
[ intransitive and transitive ] to stop someone from continuing speaking:
• She interrupted him to ask exactly how he had broken his ankle. • Oliver began his story but was soon interrupted by the arrival of Mr Gosling. • I wish you wouldn’t interrupt all the time.
butt in
[ intransitive ] to rudely start speaking when someone is already speaking:
• Will you please stop butting in! • Steve kept butting in with silly comments.
cut somebody off/cut somebody short
[ intransitive ] to prevent someone from finishing what they are saying:
• He slammed down the phone and cut her off in mid-sentence. • Bob began to speak but Donna cut him short.
heckle
[ intransitive and transitive ] to deliberately interrupt a speaker or performer by shouting, especially to show that you do not agree with what they are saying:
• Comedians are used to dealing with members of the audience who heckle. • The speaker was heckled by a group of protesters.
chip in
[ intransitive ] to interrupt a conversation or discussion by adding comments, especially helpful or useful ones:
• Feel free to chip in if you have any comments to make.
when someone is doing something
interrupt
[ intransitive and transitive ] to stop someone from continuing to do something:
• Miss Danziger apologised for interrupting their enjoyment of their meal. • My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. • His interview was interrupted by a call from the President.
disturb
to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
• The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’. • I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later? • Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
bother
to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
• ‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’ • You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.
Longman-Thesaurus