burn out — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings

1 become exhaustedTo become extremely tired or lose motivation, usually because of working or studying too much for a long time.
2 stop burning or workingTo stop burning, shining, or working because of being used for too long or damaged.
3 lose passionTo gradually lose enthusiasm, creativity, or emotional engagement with something, especially a project, activity, or cause, often due to prolonged effort or repeated disappointment.

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become exhausted

B2burn outMost common

To become extremely tired or lose motivation, usually because of working or studying too much for a long time.

After working twelve-hour days for months, she finally burned out and had to take a break.

A: You look really tired lately. Everything okay?
B: Honestly, I think I'm starting to burn out from all this overtime.

I believe it's important to take regular holidays, otherwise people can burn out and become less productive at work.

Common mistake

✗I'm getting burn out at work.

✓I'm getting burned out at work. / I'm burning out at work.

Use 'burned/burnt out' (participle) as an adjective, or 'burning out' — not 'burn out'.

Tell it apart

She burned out after years of overwork.

got exhausted

She chilled out after the deadline.

relaxed

You can say a person 'burns out' or that something (like a job) 'burns someone out'.Not the same as 'run out' (which means to have no more of something).

Often paired with

burn out (from overwork)

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stop burning or working

B1burn out

To stop burning, shining, or working because of being used for too long or damaged.

The light bulb burned out, so we need to replace it.

A: Why is it so dark in here?
B: The lamp burned out again. I'll get a new bulb.

During my presentation, the projector burned out, which made it difficult to show my slides.

Common mistake

✗The bulb is burnt down.

✓The bulb is burnt out.

A bulb 'burns out' (stops working); 'burn down' is for buildings destroyed by fire.

Tell it apart

The bulb's burned out.

stopped working

The house burned down.

was destroyed by fire

Often used for electrical items (like bulbs) or engines.Not the same as 'break down', which usually means to stop working suddenly, not from overuse.

Often paired with

burn out (bulb/engine)

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lose passion

C1burn out on sth

To gradually lose enthusiasm, creativity, or emotional engagement with something, especially a project, activity, or cause, often due to prolonged effort or repeated disappointment.

After years of campaigning for environmental reform, many activists burn out on the cause and struggle to stay involved.

A: You used to love painting—why did you stop?
B: Honestly, I just burned out on it after pushing myself so hard for that last exhibition.

Some argue that without adequate support, teachers may burn out on their profession, leading to a decline in educational quality.

Common mistake

✗He burned out from the music.

✓He burned out on music. / He lost his passion for music.

'Burn out ON' something you've lost enthusiasm for.

Tell it apart

He's burned out on teaching.

lost the passion for it

He's fed up with teaching.

annoyed or bored right now

This sense is used to describe a loss of passion or creative energy, not just physical or mental exhaustion. It is common in discussions about creative work, activism, or long-term projects.Unlike the B2 sense 'become exhausted', this sense focuses on emotional or creative depletion, not just tiredness or lack of motivation due to overwork.

Often paired with

burn out (on)

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become exhausted stop burning or working lose passion