burn out phrasal verb (see also burn)

1. if a fire burns out or burns itself out, it stops burning because there is no coal, wood etc left:
He left the fire to burn itself out.

2. be burnt out if a building or vehicle is burnt out, the inside of it is destroyed by fire:
The hotel was completely burnt out. Only the walls remained.
We passed several burnt out cars.

3. burn something ↔ out to remove something by burning it:
The cancer cells are burnt out using a laser beam.

4. to work so hard over a period of time that you become unable to continue working because you are tired, ill, or unable to think of any new ideas:
It’s a high-pressure job and you could burn out young.
be/get burnt out
He was almost burnt out by the time he was 21.
burn yourself out
She’s in danger of burning herself out. ⇒ burnout(1)

5. if an engine or electric wire burns out or is burnt out, it stops working because it has been damaged by getting too hot:
The plugs are wired so that if one burns out, the others will still start the engine.
burn something ↔ out
I think you’ve burnt out one of the gaskets.

6. if a rocket or jet burns out, it stops working because all its fuel has been used ⇒ burnout(2)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

burn out
burn out (someone)
to stop being effective because of too much work or stress.
Most of these people will burn out within 10 years and be replaced by younger employees who don't mind working nights, weekends, and holidays.

This work burns me out so much that by the end of the day I can't even decide what I want to eat for dinner.

burn out (something)
to stop working because of damage.
The new motor burned out because they used the wrong type of oil.

Usage notes: usually said about a motor or engine
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of burn out (= to stop producing a flame)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

burn out something
burn out (something)
to stop working because of damage.
The new motor burned out because they used the wrong type of oil.

Usage notes: usually said about a motor or engine
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of burn out (= to stop producing a flame)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

burn out
to become very tired and almost sick from doing something for a long time or because of working too hard
After working long hours for many months the woman finally burned herself out.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

burn out
v. phr.
1. To destroy by fire or by overheating.
Mr. Jones burned out the clutch on his car.
2. To destroy someone's house or business by fire so that they have to move out.
Three racists burned out the Black family's home.
3a. To go out of order; cease to function because of long use or overheating.
The light bulb in the bathroom burned out, and Father put in a new one.
The electric motor was too powerful, and it burned out a fuse.
3b. To break, tire, or wear out by using up all the power, energy, or strength of.
Bill burned himself out in the first part of the race and could not finish.
The farmer burned out his field by planting the same crop every year for many years.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

burn out
n. A point of physical or emotional exhaustion.
There are so many refugees all over the world that charitable organizations as well as individuals are suffering from donor burn-out.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

burn out someone
burn out (someone)
to stop being effective because of too much work or stress.
Most of these people will burn out within 10 years and be replaced by younger employees who don't mind working nights, weekends, and holidays.

This work burns me out so much that by the end of the day I can't even decide what I want to eat for dinner.

burn out (something)
to stop working because of damage.
The new motor burned out because they used the wrong type of oil.

Usage notes: usually said about a motor or engine
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of burn out (= to stop producing a flame)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲