Definition of butt out

The phrase "butt out" originated in the world of cigarettes and smoking in the mid-20th century. The term was used by smokers, who would often encourage non-smoking friends or relatives to refrain from commenting or criticizing their smoking habits. The expression "butt out" comes from the fact that smokers often discarded their cigarette butts, also known as stubs, into nearby ashtrays or on the ground. Non-smokers would then sometimes pick up these butts, also known as cigarette ends, and dispose of them properly or extinguish them properly, thus essentially "putting the cigarette out." The phrase "butt out" has since expanded beyond the context of smoking and is now used more broadly as a request for someone to stop meddling, interfering, or commenting excessively on a specific matter or issue. In short, "butt out" has morphed from a specific request related to cigarette stubs into a more general expression meaning to stop or cease making unwanted remarks.