conk out

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Stop working suddenly, especially of an engine or machine

Exhaustioninformal

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

My laptop conked out mid-call.
My laptop stopped working suddenly during the call.
The old radio conked out.
The old radio stopped working suddenly.

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