blacked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrasing "blacked out" can be used in written English when the author wants to refer to a sentence or part of a sentence that has been intentionally removed or obscured.
For example, "The decision was largely based on information that had been blacked out from the document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal Experiences

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

When describing a situation where someone lost consciousness due to an external factor (e.g., injury, intoxication), "blacked out" is suitable. However, for medical contexts, consider more precise terminology like "lost consciousness" or "syncope."

Common error

Avoid using "blacked out" to describe simply forgetting something minor. This phrase implies a significant loss of memory or consciousness, not just momentary forgetfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blacked out" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. Ludwig examples show its usage to describe a temporary loss of consciousness or memory, often due to external factors like alcohol or injury. The phrase can also function adjectivally when referring to redacted information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

16%

Vice

12%

Less common in

HuffPost

12%

Science

4%

Harvard University

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "blacked out" is a common phrasal verb used to describe a temporary loss of consciousness or memory, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Ludwig examples show it appearing frequently in News & Media and sports contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to use "blacked out" appropriately, reserving it for situations involving significant memory or consciousness loss rather than simple forgetfulness. Related phrases include ""lost consciousness"" and ""passed out"", which offer similar meanings. When needing more precise terminology like in medical reports, using "syncope" can be more useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost consciousness

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct and clinical term.

blanked out

Similar idiomatic expression focusing on memory loss.

passed out

Offers a more informal and common alternative for losing consciousness.

became unconscious

Provides a formal and medical way to describe the loss of consciousness.

lost memory

Focuses specifically on the loss of memory aspect of "blacking out".

fainted

Suggests a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness.

couldn't remember

Directly states the inability to recall events.

everything went dark

Emphasizes the sensory experience of losing consciousness or visibility.

memory failed

Highlights the failure of memory function.

was obscured

Shifts the meaning to something being hidden or not visible, rather than loss of consciousness.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "blacked out"?

To say someone "blacked out" typically means they experienced a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness or memory, often due to alcohol, drugs, or a medical condition.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "blacked out"?

The phrase "blacked out" is appropriate when describing a situation where someone experienced a significant loss of memory or consciousness, particularly due to intoxication, injury, or emotional trauma. It's also used to describe redaction in documents.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "blacked out"?

You can use alternatives like "lost consciousness", "passed out", "fainted", or "lost memory", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say someone "blacked out"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Blacked out" is a phrasal verb and is commonly used in both spoken and written English to describe a temporary loss of consciousness or memory.