conk out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “conk out” mean?
To stop working or functioning suddenly, especially due to mechanical failure or exhaustion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To stop working or functioning suddenly, especially due to mechanical failure or exhaustion.
Can refer to machines breaking down, engines failing, or a person collapsing from fatigue or falling asleep suddenly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties. Slightly more common in American English. In British English, 'pack up' or 'break down' might be more frequent for objects, while 'drop off' is common for falling asleep.
Connotations
Informal, somewhat colloquial. Implies a degree of unpredictability or finality in the failure.
Frequency
Moderately common in informal spoken English in both regions. More frequently heard in American English media.
Grammar
How to Use “conk out” in a Sentence
[Subject] conked out.[Subject] conked out on [Object].[Subject] conked out in the middle of [Event].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conk out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- My old banger conked out on the M25.
- I was so knackered I just conked out on the sofa.
American English
- The air conditioner conked out during the heatwave.
- He conked out right after dinner.
adjective
British English
- It's a conked-out old transit van.
American English
- We're stuck with a conked-out generator.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in very informal office chat (e.g., 'The server conked out').
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Common in informal speech about broken appliances, vehicles, or tired people.
Technical
Not used in technical manuals; terms like 'malfunction', 'fail', or 'seize' are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conk out”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conk out”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'conk' meaning to hit on the head.
- Incorrect tense: 'It has conked' (must be 'conked out').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is informal or colloquial. It's not appropriate for formal writing.
Yes, it commonly means to fall asleep suddenly from exhaustion.
Likely from 'conk', 19th-century slang for the head or nose, implying the 'head' of the engine or the person has stopped. Another theory links it to an imitation of the sound of a failing engine.
'Conk out' is more informal and implies a more sudden, often complete, stoppage. 'Break down' can describe a wider range of failures, including gradual ones.
To stop working or functioning suddenly, especially due to mechanical failure or exhaustion.
Conk out is usually informal in register.
Conk out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒŋk ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːŋk ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “conk out on the job”
- “conk out cold”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old car's engine making a loud 'CONK' sound and then stopping OUTright.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVING ENTITY FOR MACHINE (The machine 'died' or 'fainted').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'conk out' LEAST appropriate?