conk out

USAGE SUMMARY

"conk out" is an appropriate and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean "to become exhausted and unable to continue." Example: After an hour of manual labor in the hot sun, he finally conked out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

If it's allowed to conk out, it's the end.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe the laptop battery that's supposedly good for 500 charges over its lifetime would actually conk out after 350.

The New York Times

Eat some over-fried food at the hotel and try to stay awake, but conk out early.

The Guardian

Look Moll, you put in a word for us slobs, right now and when we conk out".

The Guardian - Books

Electricity will occasionally conk out, and driving home at night he noticed that many roads are conspicuously dark.

The Guardian

Speakers Fiddling about with shoddy speakers can be maddening, particularly when they conk out at a critical point.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

My phone conked out mid-flight.

The New Yorker

"Old boilers are conking out," she said.

The New York Times

And the battery conks out after less than an hour.

The New York Times - Tech

He conked out but he was awake again at half-three.

The New Yorker

He's tired of his technology conking out on him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conk out" to describe a sudden or unexpected failure or cessation of function, whether in a mechanical or biological context.

Common error

Avoid using "conk out" in highly formal or professional writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "fail", "cease to function", or "become inoperative".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "conk out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing a state of cessation or failure. It is used to indicate that something has stopped working or someone has fallen asleep suddenly, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conk out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies a sudden cessation of function or a quick descent into sleep. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best suited for informal contexts, with more formal alternatives available for professional settings. Remember to consider the context when using this phrase to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall asleep

Focuses specifically on the action of entering a state of sleep, omitting the sudden or unexpected aspect.

go to sleep

A more formal and less abrupt way of saying falling asleep.

break down

Emphasizes the cessation of function, often used for machines or systems, but can be metaphorically applied to people.

give out

Suggests a gradual failure or exhaustion, implying a loss of energy or capability.

peter out

Similar to "give out", but often refers to a gradual decline in effectiveness or enthusiasm.

stop working

A straightforward description of ceasing functionality, applicable to various contexts.

malfunction

Specifically refers to a failure to function correctly, typically used for technical or mechanical failures.

crash

Implies a sudden and often forceful failure, either in systems or in a physical collapse.

become inoperative

A formal way of describing something that has stopped working.

lose consciousness

Implies a medical condition.

FAQs

How can I use "conk out" in a sentence?

You can use "conk out" to describe something ceasing to function or someone falling asleep suddenly. For example, "The old car "conked out" halfway up the hill" or "After the long day, I "conked out" on the couch".

What does it mean when something "conks out"?

When something "conks out", it means it stops working or fails to function, often unexpectedly. It can also mean that someone falls asleep very quickly or suddenly becomes unconscious.

What can I say instead of "conk out"?

You can use alternatives like "fall asleep", "break down", or "give out" depending on the context.

Is "conk out" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "conk out" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use alternatives like "cease to function" or "fail".