burn out
Britishverb
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to become or cause to become worn out or inoperative as a result of heat or friction
the clutch burnt out
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(intr) (of a rocket, jet engine, etc) to cease functioning as a result of exhaustion of the fuel supply
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(tr; usually passive) to destroy by fire
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to become or cause to become exhausted through overwork or dissipation
noun
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the failure of a mechanical device from excessive heating
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a total loss of energy and interest and an inability to function effectively, experienced as a result of excessive demands upon one's resources or chronic overwork
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Stop functioning because something, such as fuel, has been used up. For example, There's nothing wrong with the lamp; the light bulb just burned out . [Late 1300s]
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be burned out . Lose one's home, place of work, or school as the result of a fire. For example, Hundreds of tenants are burned out every year because of negligent landlords .
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Also, burn oneself out . Make or become exhausted or disaffected, especially with one's work or schooling. For example, Many young lawyers burn themselves out after a few years of 70-hour weeks . This metaphoric term alludes to a fire going out for lack of new fuel. Robert Southey used it in an 1816 essay: “The spirit of Jacobinism was burnt out in France.” [1970s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, BCG and others do not see it as a case of AI causing people to get burned out on their jobs.
From Barron's
People in the area reported the derelict building appeared "completely burned out" by 23:00 on Friday and Staffordshire Moorlands Police said about 40 people had to be evacuated.
From BBC
People in the area reported the derelict building appeared "completely burned out" by 23:00.
From BBC
The second summer of love - as it became known - shone brightly for several years, from the Hacienda to Spike Island, before burning out... blazing a trail for Britpop.
From BBC
You can get burned out, especially since it takes hours to make and maintain friendships.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
