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Phrasal verbs "burn out" vs "wipe out"

Differences between burn out and wipe out

Burn out is used to describe a person who has become exhausted or lost interest in something due to overwork or stress, while wipe out means to completely destroy or eliminate something.

Meanings and Definitions: burn out vs wipe out

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Burn out

  • 1Lose enthusiasm and energy to continue in a demanding job.

    Jennie BURNT OUT after ten years working as a futures broker and went to live in the country.

Wipe out

  • 1Make someone very tired.

    Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT.

  • 2Kill all of a population, make extinct.

    A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the dinosaurs OUT.

Usage Examples: burn out, wipe out in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

burn out

Example

Many people burn out after working long hours for years.

Example

He burns out quickly when he takes on too many projects.

wipe out

Example

The storm wiped out the entire village.

Example

She wipes out her energy by working too hard.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Burn out

hit the wall

To reach a point of exhaustion or physical/mental limitation.

Example

After running for an hour, she hit the wall and had to stop to catch her breath.

lose interest

To become bored or disengaged with something that was once enjoyable or exciting.

Example

He lost interest in playing video games after realizing how much time he was spending on them.

run down

To become tired or sick due to overwork or neglecting one's health.

Example

She ran herself down by working long hours and not getting enough sleep.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Wipe out

annihilate

To completely destroy or defeat something or someone.

Example

The army was able to annihilate the enemy's forces and win the battle.

eradicate

To eliminate or get rid of something completely.

Example

The government launched a campaign to eradicate poverty in the country.

obliterate

To destroy or remove all traces of something.

Example

The tornado obliterated the small town, leaving nothing but rubble and debris behind.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “burn”

Phrasal Verbs with “out”

Differences in burn out vs wipe out: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: burn out or wipe out?

In everyday conversation, burn out is more common than wipe out. This is because burn out is a term that can be applied to many situations, such as work, relationships, or hobbies. On the other hand, wipe out is usually used in more extreme situations, such as natural disasters or accidents.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of burn out and wipe out

Burn out and wipe out are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, wipe out may be considered slightly more informal due to its association with surfing and skateboarding slang.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of burn out and wipe out

The tone of burn out is often sympathetic or empathetic, as it is used to describe someone who has become overwhelmed or exhausted. In contrast, wipe out has a more dramatic and intense tone, as it is used to describe a complete and total destruction.

burn out & wipe out: Synonyms and Antonyms

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