lights-out

noun

ˈlīts-ˈau̇t 

1

: a command or signal for putting out lights

2

: a prescribed bedtime for persons living under discipline

Examples of lights-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After lights-out, those young soldiers came to his bunk to ask what war is like. — Matthew Marcellus, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

But for whatever unfolded in the previous 59-plus minutes, the Chiefs had the ball one yard shy of the end zone, with a lights-out running back and built-for-the-moment quarterback. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Aaron Ashby has been lights-out, but the broadcast even brought up how the hitters have seen him multiple times now. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

If the quarterback and passing game can start pulling their weight with a great defense and a lights-out kicker, this team gets real dangerous, real fast. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lights-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout