klunk out
C1 informal intransitive
In simple words
When a machine suddenly stops working and makes a clunking noise.
Literal meaning: To make a klunking sound and stop working.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
Of a machine or engine: to stop functioning suddenly, often with a loud mechanical sound.
"The old truck klunked out right in the middle of the highway, leaving us stranded for hours."
Usage notes
Rare and non-standard variant of 'conk out.' The word 'klunk' is onomatopoeic, suggesting the heavy sound a machine makes when it fails. Highly informal and regional; not recommended for formal writing.
Commonly used with
car engine machine computer generator suddenly
Forms
Base
klunk out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
klunks out
he/she/it
Past simple
klunked out
yesterday
Past participle
klunked out
have + pp
-ing form
klunking out
continuous
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Synonyms
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