get knackered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get knackered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe becoming very tired or exhausted. Example: "After running the marathon, I really got knackered and needed to rest for a few days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We eat too much and we get fat, we drink too much and we get ill; we play too much squash and... we get knackered hips.

The Guardian - Sport

If it gets very hot, as it has been over the last few days, then you can't keep bowling seamers, they will get knackered.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So everything gets blasted with heat for two hours, "and everything gets knackered", Blumenthal says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I didn't realise I'd outsprinted everyone, but by the end I was getting knackered, and just trod on one of the fins, which were actually my shoes.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Stones, 39, who has spent most of his life at sea and runs tours for SeaMôr dolphin watching, said: "Maybe they are getting confused by the bright lights in New Quay harbour and maybe they are dying off after summer or getting knackered after the recent storms.

BBC

Before putting on the 12kg rhino suit, she said: "I've got a knackered knee, I've never run in my life, I just hope to limp over the finish line".

Independent

How he'll rue getting all knackered over the final holes of his 77 yesterday: pars instead of bogeys on the last four holes, and things would look very different now.

The Guardian - Sport

It got fairly knackering, recently, when he'd gone on a trip to America with a couple of mates from the estate, being shadowed by a reporter from the New Yorker.

The Guardian - Books

The sense of wanting to actually do a day's work and then get to bed knackered, to feel like you've earned your time off.

The Guardian

'You get in from work knackered and all you want to do is to sit down, have a brew, listen to Bolt Thrower and read the LRB but you can't because some sexy cardboard cuckoo bastard is sat in your chair.'.

Vice

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get knackered", be mindful of your audience, as it's an informal term. In formal writing, consider using "become exhausted" or "get fatigued".

Common error

Avoid using "get knackered" in formal or professional documents. While perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, it can detract from the seriousness of your message in more formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get knackered" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of becoming extremely tired or exhausted. Ludwig indicates its common usage, and the examples show it functioning as a descriptor of physical condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get knackered" is an informal British English expression meaning to become extremely tired or exhausted. Ludwig shows that it is grammatically correct, though its usage is best suited for casual contexts. When writing for a formal audience, alternatives like "become exhausted" or "get fatigued" are more appropriate. Keep in mind its informal nature and choose your words wisely to avoid sounding out of place. This ensures clear and effective communication in any setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be dog-tired

Another informal phrase, similar to "knackered", but perhaps slightly more emphatic.

become exhausted

Focuses on the state of extreme tiredness, replacing the informal "knackered" with a more formal "exhausted".

get spent

Suggests a complete depletion of energy, similar in intensity to "knackered".

grow weary

Emphasizes a gradual increase in tiredness, offering a slightly more literary alternative.

get fatigued

A more clinical term for becoming tired, suitable for more formal contexts.

tire out

A phrasal verb emphasizing the act of making someone tired.

run out of steam

An idiomatic expression describing the loss of energy or motivation.

be worn out

Highlights the feeling of being damaged or depleted due to tiredness.

collapse with fatigue

Implies a more extreme state of exhaustion, suggesting physical collapse.

reach the end of one's tether

Suggests reaching the limit of one's endurance, both physically and mentally.

FAQs

What does "get knackered" mean?

The phrase "get knackered" is a British English slang term that means to become extremely tired or exhausted.

Is it appropriate to use "get knackered" in formal writing?

No, "get knackered" is an informal expression and should be avoided in formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "become exhausted" or "get fatigued".

What are some alternatives to "get knackered"?

Some alternatives to "get knackered" include "become exhausted", "get fatigued", "tire out", or "be worn out".

How would I use "get knackered" in a sentence?

You could say, "After running the marathon, I really got knackered and needed to rest for a few days."