burn out

phrasal verb·4 senses·particle out

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Become exhausted from overwork

Exhaustion

Why “out”? Something is used until nothing is left. Energy, supply, fire, and time all reach zero.

“After years without a break, he burned out and left his job.”
Years of work without a break left him completely exhausted.
“The nurse burned out during the crisis.”
The nurse became completely exhausted during the crisis.
“Constant pressure burned the whole team out.”
Constant pressure made the whole team completely exhausted.
2

(of a fire)Stop burning because there is no fuel left

Exhaustion
“The fire burned out by midnight.”
The fire stopped because all the fuel was gone by midnight.
“The candle burned out.”
The candle stopped burning because there was no wax left.
3

(of an electrical device)Stop working because of overheating

Exhaustion
“The bulb has burned out.”
The bulb has stopped working because it overheated.
“The old motor burned out.”
The old motor stopped working because it overheated.
4

Destroy a building or vehicle by fire

Removaluncommon

Why “out”? Pushing outward to eliminate. What is removed is sent away.

“Vandals burned out the car.”
Vandals destroyed the car by setting it on fire.
“The fire burned the shop out.”
The fire destroyed the inside of the shop.

Don't confuse with

burn outburn down

Burn out means become exhausted from overwork. Burn down means destroy a building completely by fire.

Test yourself

“After years without a break, he burned out and left his job.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

burn down

A contrast learners often mix up

Destroy a building completely by fire

blow out

Same out pattern: exhaustion

Extinguish a flame by blowing

cash out

Same out pattern: removal

Take money from an account or investment

chill out

Same out pattern: exhaustion

Relax and stop being anxious

chuck out

Same out pattern: removal

Discard something

clean out

Same out pattern: removal

Remove the contents of a place and clean it thoroughly

clear out

Same out pattern: removal

Tidy by removing things you don't need

close out

Same out pattern: exhaustion

End or settle a process or account

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