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conk out

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conk out

1. to stop working or fail suddenly My radio conked out again, so I couldn't hear the weather reports.

Usage notes: usually said about a machine or engine

2. to go to sleep very quickly I was so tired, I conked out on the couch and never even made it into bed.

See also: conk, out

conk out

1. Stop functioning, fail, as in The engine finally conked out. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

2. Fall asleep, as in Every evening he conked out in front of the television set. [1940s]

3. Faint or collapse, as in I don't know if it was the heat, but she suddenly conked out. [1920s]

4. Die, as in He's paranoid about conking out and he's only twenty! [Late 1920s]

See also: conk, out

conk out

v. Slang

1. To fail to function; cease to be useful, effective, or operable: My computer conked out on me. The car's engine conked out halfway through the race.

2. To go to sleep, especially due to exhaustion: I conked out after studying all night.

3. To lose consciousness or awareness: He conked out after being hit by the ball. She took some medicine and conked out.

4. To cause someone or something to lose consciousness or awareness: The ball hit the goalie's head and conked her out. The mugger conked him out and grabbed his briefcase.

See also: conk, out

conk out

1. in. [for someone] to collapse, and perhaps fall asleep. I was so tired I just went home and conked out.

2. in. [for something] to break down; to quit running. I hope my computer doesn’t conk out.

See also: conk, out