Blacked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Blacked out" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a loss of consciousness or memory, or when something is obscured or hidden. Example: "He blacked out during the intense heat of the day." Alternative expressions include "lost consciousness" and "fainted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I blacked out, I think".

The New York Times - Sports

I blacked out early.

The Guardian

"I kind of blacked out, I think.

The New York Times - Sports

"I blacked out," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

I might have blacked out".

The Guardian - Sport

All the rest are blacked out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Did I black out?

The New Yorker

I wanted to black out".

Independent

Did she black out?

The New York Times - Sports

Did you black out?

The New Yorker

Blacking out again?" Don't answer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase in the passive voice when referring to redacted text, such as 'The sensitive data was blacked out', for a professional tone.

Common error

Do not use "Blacked out" when you mean the psychological act of suppressing a memory or physically stopping light from entering a room. In those cases, the term "blocked out" is usually more accurate. While "Blacked out" implies total darkness or total loss of awareness, "blocked out" suggests a targeted obstruction or defensive mental mechanism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Blacked out" primarily functions as a phrasal verb in its past tense or past participle form. It can be used intransitively to describe a physiological state (e.g., 'He blacked out') or transitively in a passive construction to describe information concealment (e.g., 'The names were blacked out'). Ludwig AI confirms this as a correct and usable expression in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Blacked out" is a highly versatile phrasal verb that is widely accepted in modern English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media to describe three distinct scenarios: a medical loss of consciousness, a memory gap caused by trauma or substance use and the administrative redaction of sensitive documents. Its prevalence in high-tier sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker proves its reliability. Writers should be mindful of the subtle difference between this term and passed out, opting for the former when the emphasis is on the memory loss or the total absence of visual information. Whether used in a medical, legal or personal context, it remains a powerful tool for describing a complete but temporary state of darkness or unawareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lost consciousness

Provides a more formal and clinical tone for medical contexts

Passed out

Offers a more informal or conversational way to describe fainting

Redacted

Specific to the intentional concealment of sensitive information in documents

Fainted

Focuses on the physical collapse rather than the mental state or memory

Obscured

A broader term for something being hidden from view or made unclear

Censored

Implies that information was removed for legal, moral or political reasons

Went dark

Used metaphorically for communication systems or power grids failing

Draw a blank

Refers specifically to a momentary inability to remember something

Blocked

Frequently used in the context of broadcasting or physical obstructions

Memory gap

A noun-based alternative describing the cognitive result of the action

FAQs

What is the difference between "blacked out" and "passed out"?

While both describe a loss of consciousness, "passed out" is generally informal and refers to the physical act of fainting. "Blacked out" can also refer to a memory gap where the person remains physically active but cannot recall their actions later, often due to substances or trauma.

Can I use "blacked out" for documents?

Yes, it is very common to say a document was "Blacked out" when sensitive information has been hidden. However, in legal or formal contexts, the word "redacted" is often preferred for precision.

How do I describe a medical loss of consciousness more professionally?

Instead of saying someone "Blacked out", you can use clinical terms like "lost consciousness" or "suffered a syncope" depending on the medical severity.

Is it correct to say someone "blacked out" from rage?

Yes, this is a common idiomatic use to describe a state where someone becomes so angry they lose their sense of control or memory of the event. Alternatively, you could say they "lost control" or "saw red".