What does “Cark it” mean?
The phrase "Cark it" means 'to die.' When someone uses "Cark it", they are referring to someone's death in a casual, slang manner.
How is the expression used in real life?
Example
As in: “How’s your cat?" "Oh, she carked it the other day.”
Example
My old car finally carked it and I had to buy a new one.
Example
I hope I don't cark it before I get to see my favorite band perform.
What context can I use each expression in?
- 1Describing the death of a person or animal
As in: “How’s your cat?" "Oh, she carked it the other day.”
My old car finally carked it and I had to buy a new one.
- 2Expressing a fear or hope of dying
I hope I don't cark it before I get to see my favorite band perform.
He was so sick, we thought he was going to cark it any moment.
- 3Discussing the end of something or its failure
The company's profits have been declining, and it looks like it might cark it soon.
My computer crashed and all my files carked it.
Good things to know:
What is the origin of the phrase?
The phrase "cark it" originated in New Zealand and is commonly used in Australian and New Zealand English. It is believed to have derived from the British slang term 'cark', which means 'to die' or 'to fail'.
Can the phrase be used on its own?
The phrase "cark it" is typically used within a sentence to describe someone or something dying. It is not commonly used on its own.
Is the phrase offensive?
The phrase "cark it" is not offensive in itself, but it is a slang term that refers to death, which can be a sensitive topic for some people.
Audience for the phrase
The phrase "cark it" is primarily used in New Zealand and Australia, and is familiar to English speakers in those regions. It is more commonly used by older generations, but younger people may still be familiar with it.
Is the phrase specific to an accent or country?
The phrase "cark it" is specific to New Zealand and Australian English, and is not widely used in other English-speaking regions.
