crash out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, spoken
Quick answer
What does “crash out” mean?
To fall asleep suddenly and deeply, often due to exhaustion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fall asleep suddenly and deeply, often due to exhaustion.
In competitive contexts (e.g., sports tournaments), to be eliminated from the competition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English for the sleep meaning. In American English, 'pass out' or 'crash' alone is often preferred for sleep. The elimination meaning is used in both, particularly in sports journalism.
Connotations
In UK: connotes exhaustion, informality, often after social activity or work. In US: may sound slightly British to some ears for the sleep meaning, but the elimination meaning is neutral.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech; medium-low in US informal speech for the sleep meaning. The elimination meaning has similar frequency in both in relevant contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crash out” in a Sentence
SUBJ + crash outSUBJ + crash out + of + COMPETITIONVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crash out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'm absolutely knackered; I'm going to crash out.
- He crashed out on the floor after the gig.
- They crashed out of the cup in the first round.
American English
- After the hike, we all just crashed out. (Less common)
- The number one seed crashed out of the tournament early.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; 'crashed-out' is possible as a compound adjective) He was a crashed-out mess on the sofa.
American English
- (Not standard; 'crashed-out' is possible as a compound adjective) The crashed-out players missed the team meeting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally: 'After the merger talks, I just crashed out.'
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Very common for describing tired sleep: 'The kids crashed out after the long trip.'
Technical
Used in sports reporting: 'The defending champion crashed out in the semi-finals.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crash out”
- *I crashed out him on the bed. (Incorrect – intransitive)
- *She crashed out the exam. (Incorrect – use 'failed' or 'flunked')
- Using it in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strictly informal and used primarily in spoken English.
No, it implies an unplanned, sudden sleep due to tiredness.
'Pass out' can mean to lose consciousness (from alcohol, injury), while 'crash out' specifically means to fall asleep from exhaustion. 'Pass out' is more common in American English for sleep.
No, it's a separate metaphorical extension meaning to 'exit suddenly and often unexpectedly' from a competition.
To fall asleep suddenly and deeply, often due to exhaustion.
Crash out: in British English it is pronounced /kræʃ aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kræʃ aʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crash and burn (related, but more catastrophic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a computer CRASHING and shutting down suddenly. Your body 'crashes out' and shuts down for sleep.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLEEP IS A SYSTEM FAILURE / LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS A SUDDEN STOP.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'crash out' used CORRECTLY?