Meaning trap
burn out
stop burning or working
To stop burning, shining, or working because of being used for too long or damaged.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To stop burning, shining, or working because of being used for too long or damaged.
Another meaning of 'burn out' is 'become exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The light bulb burned out, so we need to replace it.technology
- During my presentation, the projector burned out, which made it difficult to show my slides.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: burn out (no object) / burn something out (object)
WrongThe bulb is burnt down.
RightThe bulb is burnt out.
A bulb 'burns out' (stops working); 'burn down' is for buildings destroyed by fire.
Patternburn out (no object) / burn something out (object)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Burn out' is the everyday verb for a bulb or fuse dying; 'ceased to function' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
burn out (bulb/engine)the bulbthe fusethe motorcompletely
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'break down', which usually means to stop working suddenly, not from overuse.
Related
- burn out (become exhausted) — Another meaning of 'burn out' is 'become exhausted'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.