1 B2 idiomatic informal
To applaud someone as they leave a place for the last time, as a mark of respect or farewell.
"The whole school lined the hallway to clap out the retiring headmistress on her final day."
separable
clap out
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To applaud someone as they leave or depart, especially as a farewell gesture; also used informally to describe something worn out or exhausted.
In plain English
To clap while someone is leaving, to say goodbye with applause; or to describe something totally broken and old.
What does "clap out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(clapped-out) Worn out, exhausted, or no longer functioning properly; used of machines, vehicles, or people.
"He showed up to the interview in a clapped-out old van held together with tape."
“
It was a clapped-out old banger that should have been scrapped years ago.
— General British English journalistic usage; widely attested in The Guardian and similar publications.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To clap (strike hands together) in a direction outward, as someone exits.
Actually means
To clap while someone is leaving, to say goodbye with applause; or to describe something totally broken and old.
Usage tip
As a farewell ritual, 'clap out' is common in schools and workplaces (especially British and Australian English). As an adjective 'clapped-out' (hyphenated) means old, broken, and useless — very common in British English for old cars or machines.
Words that pair with "clap out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
retiree teacher colleague soldier car engine
How to conjugate "clap out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clap out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
claps out
he/she/it
Past simple
claped out
yesterday
Past participle
claped out
have + pp
-ing form
claping out
continuous
Hear "clap out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clap out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.