crank one out
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make or write one thing quickly, usually without spending too much time on it.
Literal meaning: To turn a crank (handle) to mechanically produce one item — like a factory machine making a single unit.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To produce a single piece of work quickly, often prioritising speed over quality.
"I only had an hour before the deadline, so I cranked one out and hoped for the best."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
(Vulgar slang) To masturbate. Use with extreme caution; inappropriate in most contexts.
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The 'one' is a pronoun placeholder. Often used humorously or self-deprecatingly about creative work. Also has a vulgar slang meaning (masturbation) — context usually makes the intended sense clear.
Commonly used with
report email essay song painting article
Forms
Base
crank one out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cranks one out
he/she/it
Past simple
cranked one out
yesterday
Past participle
cranked one out
have + pp
-ing form
cranking one out
continuous
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Synonyms
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