can't hear yourself think

can't hear (oneself) think

Cannot concentrate on anything due to overwhelming noise. Can you turn down that blaring music? I can't hear myself think! There's so much construction going on during the day that you can't even hear yourself think over the chorus of jackhammers.
See also: hear, think
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

can't hear yourself think

INFORMAL
COMMON If you say that you can't hear yourself think, you are complaining because there is a lot of noise that is disturbing you. For God's sake shut up. I can't hear myself think! If you're sitting in the front yard, you can't hear yourself think because the traffic is getting very, very bad.
See also: hear, think
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

can’t hear yourself ˈthink

(informal) there is so much noise around you that you cannot think clearly: Can you turn the volume down? I can’t hear myself think in here.
See also: hear, think
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • can't hear (oneself) think
  • hear oneself think, can't
  • unable
  • be unable to hear (oneself) think
  • be unable to hear yourself think
  • can barely hear (oneself) think
  • can hardly hear (oneself) think
  • barely
  • concentrate on
  • concentrate on (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
You can't hear yourself think and there is something serious you need to consider.
RUSSELL GRANT
You can't hear yourself think, as everyone seems to be asking you for advice and support.
STARS
Scorpio Oct 24 to Nov 22 You can't hear yourself think as neighbours, colleagues and friends are all asking you for advice and support.
STARS; OUR ASTROLOGER RUSSELL GRANT ON YOUR WEEK AHEAD
I'd also heard tales of non-stop traffic, busy restaurants where you can't hear yourself think and no rest from the hustle and bustle.
Festive shopping in a city that never sleeps; ALISON STACEY goes Christmas shopping in the Big Apple
You're hearing so many conflicting opinions you can't hear yourself think. Take yourself away from the situation and meditate on the issue without these distractions.
STARS
You can't hear yourself think most lunch days at this popular outpost in the East and you might have to go all the way out to their Santa Monica version to do business.
'Batman' back in action
It's not a presentation area on the show floor in a loud environment where you can't hear yourself think -- something you can easily experience at the majority of digital signage events.
DiSCO 2012: the digital signage conference at ISE
Wilton chairman Pat Spink said: "It's such a noisy event you can't hear yourself think. The dogs get excited, the owners are yelling at them and the audience loves it.
On your barks! Why our top dogs hope to get off to a Crufts' flier
Perhaps we should not be surprised by the way texting has infiltrated a society where often you can't hear yourself think, never mind talk.
The Diary
You can't hear yourself think, much less enjoy a conversation,over the continual din of suburban noise.
YOU SAY: Keep noise down
He said: "Everyone has been here at cup finals when you can't hear yourself think. I don't think it lacks atmosphere.
I'M IN WITH THE BRICKS; NO PLACE LIKE HOME SFA DECIDE TO STAY PUT; Maxwell: I helped build Hampden 20 years ago but I'd have taken us to Murrayfield in a heartbeat if I felt it was right for our game
That is difficult enough when you've got 75,000 fanatical Welsh supporters screaming at you and you can't hear yourself think.
England can silence the frenzied Millennium crowd.. but beware of the bloke head-butting the team bus
Find out your destiny with a 1-2-1consultation LIVE PSYCHICS 0906 174 3685 Cancer (22 Jun to 23 Jul) Call 0905 817 0751 You can't allow things to get piled up in your inbox and you know you have to clear the letterbox so why allow those thoughts of when and if to gather until you can't hear yourself think anymore?
David Wells
"You can't hear yourself think there sometimes it's so loud.
Muliaina puts the Blues on red alert
"We even get interference on our TV when they fly over which you aren't supposed to and you can't hear yourself think.
They fly too low over our homes