flame-out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly journalistic; common in business and sports commentary.
Quick answer
What does “flame-out” mean?
To fail suddenly and dramatically.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fail suddenly and dramatically; originally refers to a jet engine losing combustion and shutting down.
A sudden, complete, and often public failure; can apply to careers, projects, performances, or technologies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American aviation; more established in American English. In British English, it's understood but less frequent; alternatives like 'crash and burn' or 'implode' might be preferred.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are negative, emphasizing a dramatic and total failure. In US sports/business journalism, it's a vivid, familiar metaphor.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in media contexts (business, entertainment, sports). Low-to-medium frequency in British English, mostly in influenced contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “flame-out” in a Sentence
[Subject] flame outsuffer a flame-outexperience a flame-outVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flame-out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The promising start-up flamed out after its second funding round.
- He flamed out spectacularly in the final round of the tournament.
American English
- The rookie pitcher flamed out in the third inning.
- Her political campaign flamed out after the first debate.
adjective
British English
- He was a flame-out star of the nineties music scene.
- The project ended in flame-out disaster.
American English
- The flame-out CEO gave a surprising interview.
- We studied the company's flame-out phase in business school.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a startup or executive failing spectacularly after initial promise.
Academic
Rare; might be used in sociology or business case studies discussing failure.
Everyday
Used to describe a person's sudden loss of success or a public failure.
Technical
Specifically denotes the cessation of combustion in a jet or rocket engine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flame-out”
- Using it for a slow decline (should be sudden).
- Confusing it with 'burn out' (which is gradual exhaustion).
- Misspelling as 'flameout' (hyphenated or solid both exist, but hyphenated is common for the noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly found as a hyphenated compound ('flame-out') or as a solid word ('flameout'), especially in American English. The hyphenated form is slightly more traditional for the noun.
Yes, as a phrasal verb (e.g., 'The engine flamed out'). The past tense is 'flamed out'.
'Flame out' implies a sudden, dramatic, often public failure. 'Burn out' implies gradual exhaustion of energy, resources, or enthusiasm, leading to an inability to continue.
It is informal and vivid. It is common in journalism, commentary, and business slang, but would be replaced with more formal terms like 'catastrophic failure' or 'sudden collapse' in academic or very formal technical writing.
To fail suddenly and dramatically.
Flame-out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪm aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfleɪm ˌaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go down in flames (similar but more active)”
- “burn out (implies exhaustion, not necessarily sudden failure)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rocket's flame going OUT suddenly mid-flight, causing it to fall—a dramatic FLAME-OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS LOSS OF FIRE/COMBUSTION; SUCCESS IS A FLAME/BURNING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'flame-out' MOST appropriately used?