crash out
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To fall asleep really fast because you're very tired, or to lose and get knocked out of a competition.
Literal meaning: To crash means to collide with something heavily; 'out' suggests a complete and sudden cessation — like a system crashing and shutting off.
Meanings
1 A2
idiomatic
informal
To fall into a deep sleep very quickly, especially from tiredness.
"After a twelve-hour shift, he crashed out on the sofa still wearing his shoes."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To be eliminated or knocked out of a sports competition or tournament.
"The defending champions crashed out in the quarter-finals after a shock defeat."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The 'fall asleep' sense is very common in everyday informal speech. The 'eliminated' sense is widely used in sports journalism. Both senses are common in British and American English.
Commonly used with
sofa couch bed tournament championship early
Forms
Base
crash out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
crashes out
he/she/it
Past simple
crashed out
yesterday
Past participle
crashed out
have + pp
-ing form
crashing out
continuous
Understand "crash out" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "crash out" on Looplines