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darwin out

C1 slang inseparable intransitive

Informal/internet slang: to be eliminated from a situation, gene pool, or competition due to one's own stupidity, recklessness, or poor decision-making — evoking the concept of natural selection.

In plain English

To get removed from a situation (or hurt/killed) because you did something very stupid — like natural selection.

What does "darwin out" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

1 C1 idiomatic slang

(Dark humour/internet slang) To be eliminated — usually through injury, death, or failure — as a result of one's own extreme stupidity or recklessness, evoking the idea of natural selection removing unfit individuals.

"Anyone who tries to selfie on the edge of that cliff is going to darwin out sooner or later."

inseparable
Usage tip

Derived from 'Darwin Award', an ironic internet concept celebrating people who eliminate themselves through extreme stupidity. Used darkly humorously. Not appropriate in formal or sensitive contexts. Primarily internet and youth slang, global English.

Words that pair with "darwin out"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

completely himself themselves eventually inevitably

How to conjugate "darwin out"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
darwin out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
darwins out
he/she/it
Past simple
darwined out
yesterday
Past participle
darwined out
have + pp
-ing form
darwining out
continuous

Hear "darwin out" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "darwin out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

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