Phrase guide

conk out

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • He wasn't there, just the dog, conked out on the porch.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: zonk out

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To stop functioning.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • The old car conked out halfway up the hill.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To die.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, intransitive

Examples

  • He lived to be 90, then conked out in his sleep.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

use up all one's strength and energy and stop working

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • At the end of the march, I pooped out

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: poop out, peter out, run down, run out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tire, pall, weary, fatigue, jade

5

verb

Meaning 5

stop operating or functioning

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The engine finally went
  • The car died on the road
  • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
  • The coffee maker broke
  • The engine failed on the way to town
  • her eyesight went after the accident

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fail, go bad, give way, die, give out, go, break, break down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

Narrower terms: crash, go down, blow out, burn out, blow, misfire, malfunction, misfunction

History

Etymology

Possibly an onomatopoeic imitation of the sound of a stalling internal combustion engine. Possibly coined by British motorcyclists circa 1910.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: einnicken — to fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly
  • German: einpennen — to fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly
  • German: wegtreten — to fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly
  • Polish: kimnąć się — to fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly
  • Spanish: caer muerto — to fall fast asleep; to sleep soundly
  • French: tomber en panne — to stop functioning
  • German: ausfallen — to stop functioning
  • German: streiken — to stop functioning
  • German: den Geist aufgeben — to stop functioning
  • Polish: nawalać — to stop functioning
  • Polish: nawalić — to stop functioning
  • Portuguese: pifar — to stop functioning
  • Spanish: morir — to stop functioning
  • Spanish: petar — to stop functioning
  • German: abtreten — to die
  • German: den Löffel abgeben — to die
  • German: ins Gras beißen — to die
  • German: abkratzen — to die
  • Polish: kitować — to die
  • Polish: wykitować — to die