glitch out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glitch out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a device or system malfunctions or experiences a temporary failure. Example: "The video game started to glitch out during the final boss battle, making it impossible to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some lacrosse sticks that had built-in sound effects and the ability to "glitch out" video were nearly part of "Cry, Trojans!" in which Mr. Schneider finally appeared as an actor.

The New York Times

1. "T69 collapse" - 5 23 - this is the lead single off of this EP; starts off with lots of cool skippy snare/percussion sounds; some nice ambient chords; then 2min it starts to glitch out and gets super spacey; the drum/percussive glitches have a cool way of speeding up/slowing down.

Stanford University

Bugs make comments glitch out, push notifications fail to open, streams to drop, and videos not to record.

TechCrunch

"And also I was trying to type in something for an answer in math and it would glitch out and put the whole thing in parentheses, and it took five minutes to get the right thing in parentheses," she said.

Los Angeles Times

Things start to get freaky and he begins to glitch out and fall down a lot, all alone on a big rock.

Vice

Bringing glitch out of screens and into three dimensions with algorithmically-altered sculptures has been London-based artist Matthew Plummer-Fernandez's M.O. for the last few years.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Because of that, when there's a supply glitch, out-of-state refineries can't send extra supplies without first retooling their plants, -- delaying deliveries by four to eight weeks, regulators say.

Los Angeles Times

But every once in a while, the game glitches out or crashes altogether.

The Guardian - Tech

It glitches out fairly frequently and it tried to render a face on my wall for some reason (Ghosts!).

TechCrunch

The Echo Show and Echo Spot will display the product listing (though my Spot is glitching out on the command, only getting halfway through the opening pitch).

Forbes

We obsess over it all; it's basically a job requirement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glitch out" to describe temporary malfunctions in technology or systems. It is suitable for explaining why something isn't working as expected for a short time. It indicates something that may spontaneously recover.

Common error

While "glitch out" is acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more precise terms like "malfunction" or "failure" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "glitch out" functions as an intransitive verb, describing the action of something malfunctioning or experiencing a temporary failure. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it is often used when referring to technological devices or systems behaving unexpectedly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glitch out" is a phrasal verb used to describe a temporary malfunction or error, particularly in technological contexts. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct. While acceptable in informal settings, it's best to opt for more formal terms like "malfunction" or "failure" in professional or academic writing. Its frequency is uncommon. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage across various media, including news, tech, and entertainment. Common synonyms include "malfunction", "break down", and "fail". Remember to consider your audience and the context when deciding whether to use "glitch out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malfunction

Single word for a failure to function normally.

break down

Implies a complete cessation of function.

go haywire

Suggests a chaotic or uncontrolled malfunction.

crash

Often used in the context of computer systems failing.

freeze up

Indicates a system becoming unresponsive.

act up

Describes erratic or unpredictable behavior.

fail

A general term for not succeeding or functioning as intended.

go wrong

A broad term for encountering problems or errors.

become defective

Indicates the presence of a fault or flaw.

experience a fault

Technical term to describe an error or malfunction

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said to "glitch out"?

When something is said to "glitch out", it means it's experiencing a temporary malfunction, error, or problem. It's often used to describe technology behaving unexpectedly.

What can I say instead of "glitch out"?

You can use alternatives like "malfunction", "break down", or "fail", depending on the context.

Is "glitch out" formal or informal language?

"Glitch out" is considered informal language. For formal situations, it's better to use more precise terms like "malfunction" or "error".

How to use "glitch out" in a sentence?

You can say, "The video game started to "glitch out"", or "My computer keeps glitching out when I try to open this program".