crash out

USAGE SUMMARY

"crash out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express someone going to bed or falling asleep suddenly. For example, "After a long day, I just crashed out on the couch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Hamilton and Rosberg crash out!

The Guardian - Sport

"You'll make it crash out".

The New York Times

Accept the deal or crash out?

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain could crash out on 29 March without a deal.

The Guardian

"We will either crash out, or ditch Brexit.

Nature

"We hoped he wouldn't crash out, man," Kobe Bryant said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was about to crash out on the settee when the night watchman finally arrived.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Venus and Serena Williams crash out in first round as Czechs post huge upset.

The Guardian - Sport

A crash-out could still happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

BCAB spokesman Declan Fearon warned that a crash-out Brexit was "increasingly likely".

The Guardian

They are itching to remove her for other reasons, but not to prevent a crash-out Brexit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crash out" to describe being eliminated from a competition, especially when the elimination is sudden or unexpected. For example, "The team crashed out of the tournament after a surprising defeat."

Common error

Avoid using "crash out" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "retire", "withdraw", or "succumb to sleep" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crash out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a state change. Ludwig AI confirms its usage to express either falling asleep abruptly or being eliminated from a competition. It's commonly used to describe sudden sleep after exhaustion or an unexpected defeat.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crash out" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to fall asleep suddenly or to be eliminated from a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While its usage is more common in informal contexts like news articles and sports reporting, it should be avoided in formal or business writing. Consider alternatives like "fall asleep quickly" or ""be eliminated"" in more formal settings. Use "crash out" to add a sense of suddenness and unplanned nature to your writing, whether describing exhaustion or unexpected defeat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conk out

Informal term for suddenly ceasing to function or falling asleep.

flake out

Suggests exhaustion leading to inactivity or sleep.

fall asleep quickly

Focuses solely on the 'falling asleep' aspect, omitting the sudden or unintentional nature.

drop out

Highlights the 'elimination' meaning, particularly in competitions or situations.

wash out

Specifically indicates failure or elimination due to poor performance or conditions.

be eliminated

Emphasizes the passive nature of being removed or defeated.

tap out

Suggests a deliberate concession or withdrawal, often in physical contests.

bow out

Implies a more graceful or planned departure from a competition or situation.

fall by the wayside

Indicates a gradual decline or failure rather than a sudden event.

give up

Emphasizes the act of surrendering or ceasing effort.

FAQs

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

"Crash out" can be used to describe falling asleep quickly or being eliminated from a competition. For example, "I was so tired, I just crashed out" or "The team crashed out of the playoffs early this year".

What's a more formal alternative to "crash out"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "crash out" include "retire", "withdraw", or "succumb to sleep".

Is "crash out" appropriate for business writing?

Generally, "crash out" is too informal for business writing. More appropriate alternatives would be phrases like "be eliminated" or "retire from".

What's the difference between "crash out" and "drop out"?

"Crash out" typically implies a sudden and often unintentional cessation of activity, either sleeping or being eliminated. "Drop out", on the other hand, usually suggests a more deliberate decision to leave or withdraw from something.