crashout

noun

crash·​out ˈkrash-ˌau̇t 

variants or less commonly crash-out or crash out

plural crashouts also crash-outs or crash outs

1

: a vehicular crash

He has had just two victories in his last nine starts and a crashout in his last.

—The Associated Press

The [mountain bike] racers wear full-face helmets because there are frequent … crash-outs.

—The Mountain News & Crestline Courier News (Lake Arrowhead, California)

2

informal

a

: a dramatic ending or failure

… an R&B singer-songwriter whose new single, "Another Break Up Song," provides the perfect soundtrack to the crashout of summer flings …

—Emily Swanson

b

sports : a disqualifying loss or defeat

… a crashout in the first round of this season's WNBA playoffs, costing championship-winning coach Sandy Bordello her job.

—Isabel Baldwin

3

informal

a

: a mental or emotional breakdown

experiencing a crashout … for the fifth time this week over how challenging it is to get a job …

—@ditzyizzi, on BlueSky

With … work pressure, personal matters, or emotional crashouts, it is crucial to find the right support system, stress relief, or therapy.

—Nkazimulo Ncube

b

: an emotional outburst or tantrum

… she tried to distract the guests from her husband's public crashout.

—A. Z. Madonna

Note: Usage of this sense originated in African American English and has since become widespread.

Word History

Etymology

derivative of the phrasal verb crash out—see crash entry 1, intransitive senses 1e, 6

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined at sense 2b