burn out

verb

1. to become or cause to become worn out or inoperative as a result of heat or friction

   the clutch burnt out

2. (intr) (of a rocket, jet engine, etc) to cease functioning as a result of exhaustion of the fuel supply

3. (tr; usually passive) to destroy by fire

4. to become or cause to become exhausted through overwork or dissipation

noun

1. the failure of a mechanical device from excessive heating

2. 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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

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 .

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

These are areas where the level of danger means the local fire service is usually not allowed access and the fire is left to burn out on its own, albeit contained by firebreaks.

From BBC

One is on the western outskirts of Halifax, the largest city in Nova Scotia, which continues to burn out of control.

From BBC

The film is a narrative retread of its predecessor, packed to the brim with callbacks and cameos that seem intended to spark a brief conversation online before burning out entirely, not unlike most Netflix originals.

From Salon

As we entered the city, we passed burned out shops and buildings, and cars that had been crushed by tanks.

From BBC

Other clips circulating on social media appear to show a small number of people on the roof during the fire, as well as the burned out insides of the centre.

From BBC