clapped-out

[ klapt-out ]

adjective

, British Informal.

1. (of machinery or appliances) worn-out; dilapidated.
2. (of a person) exhausted; fatigued.

clapped out

adjective

1. informal.
   clapped-out when prenominal (esp of machinery) worn out; dilapidated
2. extremely tired; exhausted

Word History and Origins

Origin of clapped-out¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“In the U.K., Tata’s plans and those of the government reflect the short-term thinking of a clapped-out disinterested government marking time to a general election,” said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham.

From Seattle Times

"This clapped-out government is running scared and refusing to allow time to debate Labour’s vote of no confidence motion," the spokeswoman said, calling it an "abuse of power".

From Reuters

"He had a clapped-out trannie that was held together with chewing gum and Elastoplasts and elastic bands, and he used to tie the little aerial around one of his cymbal stands," recalls Wright, who was hanging around backstage.

From BBC

American conservatism is a hollowed, clapped-out venture in search of an idea, a movement completely consumed and its ideas subsumed by the all-encompassing culture war.

From Slate

He zeros in on the chaos and the kakistocracy, on how nearly everyone with a sense of decency fled Trump in his final months, and how he was left with clapped-out charlatans like Sidney Powell and Giuliani.

From New York Times