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."
inseparable
crash out
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To fall asleep very quickly due to exhaustion; or to be eliminated from a competition.
In plain English
To fall asleep really fast because you're very tired, or to lose and get knocked out of a competition.
What does "crash out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To crash means to collide with something heavily; 'out' suggests a complete and sudden cessation — like a system crashing and shutting off.
Actually means
To fall asleep really fast because you're very tired, or to lose and get knocked out of a competition.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "crash out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
sofa couch bed tournament championship early
How to conjugate "crash out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "crash out" in the wild
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