Crash Out – Meaning, Origin, and Usage

What does “crash out” mean? That’s a good question actually, because in addition to the most well known meaning, Gen Z has come up with an entirely new meaning for it.

This article is going to explain everything you need to know. We’ll kick things off with the original meaning, before doing a deep dive into the newer meaning and how it originated. We’ll also explain all the different ways the phrase can be used, with the help of a few examples, before rounding off with a quick run-through of similar and synonymous words and phrases.

So, without further ado, let’s get straight to it!

Original meaning of the phrase “crash out” and its origin

The longest standing meaning of the term “crash out” simply means falling asleep quickly and easily. The term is likely to have its origin in the literal sense of a sudden and uncontrolled drop into sleep or unconsciousness.

New meaning of the phrase “crash out”

The newest meaning of the term “crash out” refers to having an emotional outburst or acting impulsively, often with negative consequences. It describes a sudden and intense emotional reaction, often fueled by anger, frustration, or overwhelm.

Crashing out in this sense may involve lashing out at somebody and reacting to something aggressively. Or it may refer to acting irrationally, being reckless and not considering the consequences of none’s actions. Alternatively, the phrase can also refer to having a complete mental breakdown, whereby someone loses complete control of their emotions to the point where they have an emotional collapse or outburst.

How the new meaning of the term “crash out” originated

This newer meaning of the term “crash out” comes from African American Vernacular English, also known as AAVE. The term began to gain popularity in the year 2017, when the American rapper NBA (Never Broke Again) YoungBoy used the phrase in his song “Stepped On” which appears in his album “Mind of a Menace 3”.

Usage of the phrase has spread rapidly, with platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter) and TikTok playing a significant role in its adoption and evolution. The term has been used to refer to people who have difficulty regulating their emotions, and it has also been connected to the concept of a “crash dummy” which is someone who acts with no regard for the consequences, often in a dangerous or even destructive way.

How to you use the term “crash out” - featuring example usage

So, the term “crash out” has two different meanings and both of which are considered informal slang. That said, the phrase remains suitable for use in polite company.

Just because the phrase has a new Gen Z meaning, doesn’t mean you can no longer use the phrase in its more traditional sense. For instance, you can still use the following phrases:

Is it OK if I crash out on your sofa? I can’t get a lift home.
It’s ok, he’s completely crashed out. We won’t hear a peep from him.
I’m not at all surprised she just crashed out like that. I’m feeling quite jet lagged myself.
Let’s just chill until the bus comes, then we can just crash out.
I’m beat, I’m gonna crash out early. See you in the morning.
Yeah, that’s fine, you just crash out, we’ll tidy up in the morning.

However, if perhaps you’re trying to spot usage of the term “crash out” in its newer meaning, you may look out for phrases such as:

Shut up now or I’m gonna crash out.
Stop it, calm down both of you. I don’t want to see anybody crash out.
He completely crashed out. I don’t know if he’s ever going to get over it.
Look at this Tiktok, the guy completely crashes out.

Alternative and synonymous words and phrases

There are many similar and synonymous phrases that you can use in place of “crash out” if you so wish. Here are some examples.

Original meaning

Fall asleep
Let one’s self fall asleep
Wait to fall asleep
Drop out
Conk out
Pass out
Knocked out

New meaning

Have a fit
Have a hissy fit
Have a tantrum
Have an angry outburst
Have an emotional outburst
Have a nervous breakdown
Loose it

Other usage of the phrase “crash out”

The UK often uses the term differently. For example, in sport, the term “crash out” implies a sudden, often humiliating defeat. The term was used in this context in tabloid newspapers on the topic of the soccer World Cup.

The British media also used the term in stories around Brexit (the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union). For example, in 2019, The Guardian wrote “The UK could crash out of the EU without a deal.”

In American military and correctional slang, the phrase “crash out” is used in the context of escaping prison, and there was even a film noir that came out in 1955 called Crashout, in which six convicts escape from prison.

Final word

So, to summarise, the term “crash out” doesn’t always mean what it used to. People still use the phrase to refer to falling asleep quickly, but since 2017, people have been using the phrase to refer to having a sudden and intense emotional outburst or acting impulsively, often with negative consequences. This was prompted by use of the phrase in NBA YoungBoy’s song “Stepped On”, and the term grew in popularity through hip hop culture and social media.

You can use the phrase with either meaning, and if you see or hear someone else use it, you must consider the context in order to deduce which meaning is being referred to. If you’re ever unsure whether or not to use the phrase, there are many similar and synonymous phrases that you can use in its place if you so wish.

Broadly put, the term “crash out” typically refers to sudden collapses, whether from being awake to being asleep, or from having emotional regulation to losing control and having an emotional outburst.