bɜːrn aʊt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- burn
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "burn out" mean?
- To become physically or emotionally exhausted from overwork.
- To stop burning because the fuel is used up.
- To stop functioning due to overheating.
Examples
- She burned out after working 80-hour weeks for six months.
- The candle burned out during the night.
- The motor burned out because the machine was running nonstop.
- If you don't take breaks, you're going to burn out.
How to use it
Very common in workplace and health contexts. The noun 'burnout' is widely used.
Word order
Can be separated when transitive (e.g., 'The long hours burned her out'), often used intransitively.
Similar expressions
exhaust
wear out
fizzle out
Opposites
recharge
energize
Related phrasal verbs
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
- go out
To leave your home for social activities or entertainment
- give out
To distribute something to multiple people
- bring out
To produce and release a new product, book, or album
- come out
To become known or revealed
Use it in a practice answer
Try "burn out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.