(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.
Compared to this bare-knuckle confrontational style, Springer started to look even more like a clapped-out sideshow; miraculously, his show managed to lumber on until 2018 before finally sputtering out.
From The Guardian • Apr. 6, 2020
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
"More like clapped-out Vauxhall Viva, five careless owners and far too many miles on the clock."
From BBC • Dec. 12, 2012
The visible impact on the economy, through the recession that followed the financial crisis, and the price of rescuing the clapped-out banks, is obvious.
From The Guardian • Jun. 30, 2012
“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
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.
