(of machinery or appliances) worn-out; dilapidated.
(of a person) exhausted; fatigued.
informal (clapped-out when prenominal) (esp of machinery) worn out; dilapidated
extremely tired; exhausted
First recorded in 1945–50
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Given the form of each team going into the semi-final and Conte’s apparent belief that even a clapped-out Diego Costa is better than Michy Batshuayi, Scenario B looks more likely.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 21, 2017
But this was different: 6-3 at Wembley, 35 shots to five, and the Hungarians declared after an hour, content to play matador with a clapped-out John Bull.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2013
For all the talk of him being too old for Edith, he doesn't seem like a clapped-out crock to me.
From Slate ● Jan. 7, 2013
The pristine records they produce belie the frankly rather clapped-out looking machines that continue to manufacture them.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 25, 2010
“Well, what in creation is she doing ferrying clapped-out Tiger Moths about, in that case? Give the Bloody Machiavellian English Intelligence Officer a call and get permission,” Jamie suggested.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
"What's the safest way to do this? I'm not trying to get clapped out," Bogdanski said.
From Salon ● Mar. 20, 2023
“Hi, my name is Anna,” she chanted, as she clapped out a rhythm that the others repeated back to her: “Ba-BAH-ba-ba-BAH.”
From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2022
The couple were clapped out of the ward by hospital staff when they were discharged together six weeks ago.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2021
They tumble exhausted from clapped out lorries and cars that have barely made the journey.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 10, 2017
Highboy danced while Buddy and Portia clapped out the rhythm.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
