crank out

Idioms

Produce, especially mechanically or rapidly, as in I don't know how he can crank out a novel a year. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Further boosting her popularity is a mass of creators who crank out pro-Takaichi content on video platforms, a narrative they know will drive views.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

Houston-based Fervo uses technology pioneered by oil-and-gas drillers to frack rocks, create geothermal reservoirs and crank out electricity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Simply put, he’s suggesting a moon base will crank out satellites and throw them into orbit with a catapult.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

Kavanaugh’s choice to crank out an opinion this time nicely illustrates the benefits of their chosen approach: If you are incapable of explaining yourself coherently, perhaps it is more prudent not to write at all.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025

There were a few last IDs to crank out, to earn an extra bit of road money.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023