weak out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak out" is not correct and does not have a standard meaning in written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a sense of giving in or losing strength, but it is not a recognized expression. Example: "After a long debate, he decided to weak out and accept the terms."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But Hamilton popped to left for his second weak out of the night.

The New York Times

"I'm not going to push the old or the weak out of this world," Senator Ted Gaines, a Republican, said on the floor.

The New York Times

By cutting prices hastily and aggressively to attract consumers, critics say, restaurants decimate profits, squeeze workers' pay and drive the weak out of business — a deflationary cycle that threatens the nation's economy.

The New York Times

Aniston's movies are often weak out of the gate, but perform over the long haul.

Forbes

His most popular adjectives are out of touch, weak, out of his depth and that really doesn't change across the segments," says Rick Nye, managing director of Populus.

BBC

And just because I have put on this weight does not mean I am weak, out of shape, or unhealthy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ohio State played a weak out-of-conference schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

Miami played a weak out-of-conference schedule this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Adding to the mystery, Texas played a particularly weak out-of-conference schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

Texas crushed mediocre Arkansas in its only relevant out-of-conference game, and Texas Tech's weak out-of-conference schedule is not even in the conversation.

The New York Times - Sports

Texas Tech's weak out-of-conference schedule, combined with a blowout loss at Oklahoma, meant the Red Raiders were not part of the conversation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey a loss of strength or effectiveness, consider using more standard phrases such as "lose strength", "become ineffective", or "diminish in power".

Common error

Overusing non-standard phrases like "weak out" can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing. Always prioritize clear, well-established expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak out" functions as a phrasal verb attempting to describe a reduction in strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that "weak out" is not a standard expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "weak out" appears in various sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect and non-standard in written English. Ludwig AI suggests that its intended meaning relates to diminishing strength or effectiveness. For clarity and correctness, using alternative phrases like "lose strength", "become ineffective", or "diminish in power" is advisable. While the phrase is found in informal contexts such as news media and wikis, its infrequent usage and lack of grammatical acceptance make it less suitable for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose strength

Focuses on the reduction of power or vigor.

become ineffective

Emphasizes the loss of ability to produce a desired effect.

diminish in power

Highlights the reduction of authority or force.

give way under pressure

Suggests succumbing to external forces or demands.

crumble

Implies a rapid and complete decline in strength or structure.

yield

Focuses on surrendering or giving in to something.

succumb

Suggests a failure to resist pressure or temptation.

deteriorate

Indicates a gradual decline in quality or condition.

falter

Implies hesitation or instability in performance.

wither

Suggests a gradual loss of vitality or freshness.

FAQs

How can I express a similar meaning to "weak out" using more common phrases?

Consider using phrases like "lose strength", "become ineffective", or "diminish in power", depending on the specific context you're aiming to convey.

Is "weak out" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "weak out" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use established expressions.

What does "weak out" imply in the contexts where it's used?

The phrase typically implies a loss of strength, effectiveness, or the ability to resist pressure. However, it is less precise and idiomatic than alternative expressions.

Which is better to use, "weak out" or "lose strength"?

It is preferable to use "lose strength". It is a standard, grammatically correct phrase to express the reduction of force or power, unlike "weak out".