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rock out

B2 informal intransitive
In simple words

To go crazy dancing or playing music really hard and having a great time.

Literal meaning: To rock outward — no clear literal meaning, the 'out' suggests full expression or emergence.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To play rock music with great energy and enthusiasm, or to dance to rock music without inhibition.

"He put on his favourite album and rocked out alone in his bedroom for an hour."

"Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth."

— Wayne's World (1992 film) — the film's central theme of rocking out is encapsulated in this catchphrase, though the exact 'rock out' phrasing appears throughout the film.
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To perform or enjoy any activity with maximum energy and enthusiasm (extended use beyond music).

"She rocked out her presentation and got a standing ovation from the whole team."

Usage notes

Strongly associated with rock music culture but used more broadly for any energetic, uninhibited musical enjoyment. Common in American English. Can also mean to leave a place (slang, less common). Often intensified with 'totally' or 'seriously'.

Commonly used with

guitar concert stage crowd festival headphones

Forms

Base
rock out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rocks out
he/she/it
Past simple
rocked out
yesterday
Past participle
rocked out
have + pp
-ing form
rocking out
continuous

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