trip out
C1Informal, Slang
Definition
Meaning
To experience hallucinations or an altered state of consciousness, typically due to psychedelic drugs.
To experience intense astonishment, excitement, or disorientation; to react with great surprise or amazement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with counterculture and psychedelic experiences. The extended meaning is a metaphorical extension, implying a mental state of being 'blown away' or overwhelmed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both dialects, though slightly more established in American English due to its origin in 1960s US counterculture.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of 1960s/70s psychedelic culture. Can be used humorously or ironically in non-drug contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts; higher in informal speech, especially among older generations or in discussions of music/culture from that era.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + trip outSubject + trip out + on + NP (e.g., on LSD)Subject + trip out + over + NP (e.g., over the colours)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Trip the light fantastic (different meaning, but phonetically related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical, sociological, or cultural studies of the 1960s.
Everyday
Informal, used for strong reactions: 'I tripped out when I saw the final bill!'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They took some mushrooms and began to trip out.
- He totally tripped out when he saw the vintage car.
American English
- She tripped out on the light show at the concert.
- We were tripping out over the crazy plot twist.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- N/A
- N/A
- The movie's special effects were so weird, it made me trip out.
- He told a story so strange it tripped everyone out.
- Some artists in the 60s would trip out on acid to seek inspiration.
- Looking at the complex fractal patterns, I started to trip out visually.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'trip' as a journey, and 'out' as outside your normal mind. To TRIP OUT is to take a mental journey outside reality.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A TRAVELLER / ALTERED CONSCIOUSNESS IS A DESTINATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'выезжать' or 'спотыкаться'.
- Do not confuse with 'trip' as a journey.
- The phrasal verb is inseparable.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'trip over' (to stumble).
- Incorrect word order: 'trip it out'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'trip out' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the extended meaning of being extremely surprised or amazed is common in informal speech.
Not offensive, but it is very informal slang. It may be considered inappropriate in formal or conservative settings.
'Freak out' implies panic, anxiety, or losing control. 'Trip out' implies astonishment, hallucination, or a mind-expanding experience, often with a neutral or positive connotation.
The past tense is 'tripped out' (e.g., 'Yesterday, I tripped out over that news'). 'Trip outed' is incorrect.
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