Meaning trap
burn out
lose passion
To gradually lose enthusiasm, creativity, or emotional engagement with something, especially a project, activity, or cause, often due to prolonged effort or repeated disappointment.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To gradually lose enthusiasm, creativity, or emotional engagement with something, especially a project, activity, or cause, often due to prolonged effort or repeated disappointment.
'burn out' also has the more basic meaning 'become exhausted'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- After years of campaigning for environmental reform, many activists burn out on the cause and struggle to stay involved.work
- Some argue that without adequate support, teachers may burn out on their profession, leading to a decline in educational quality.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: burn out (on something)
WrongHe burned out from the music.
RightHe burned out on music. / He lost his passion for music.
'Burn out ON' something you've lost enthusiasm for.
Patternburn out (on something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Burn out on something' captures losing the fire for it; the paraphrase is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
burn out (on)on itcreativelylose interestafter years
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense 'become exhausted', this sense focuses on emotional or creative depletion, not just tiredness or lack of motivation due to overwork.
Related
- burn out (become exhausted) — 'burn out' also has the more basic meaning 'become exhausted'; this is the advanced sense.