lights out

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See synonyms for: lights out / lights outs on Thesaurus.com

noun

Chiefly Military. a signal, usually by drum or bugle, that all or certain camp or barracks lights are to be extinguished for the night.

bedtime.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of lights out

First recorded in 1865–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lights out in a sentence

Kind of like the feeling so many of us Lebanese have during power outages when, midway to the bathroom at 2:00 a.m., lights out.
ISIS and BS|Amal Ghandour|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But if whites provide 75% of the electorate … it's lights out in Chicago.
How Much of the White Vote Will Show Up on Nov 6?|David Frum|October 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The place is always noisy, even after lights out, at 11 p.m.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Life in Jail at Rikers Island|Joe Halderman|May 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Because if he leaves the party, we might as well turn the lights out.
The GOP's Suicide Mission|Mark McKinnon|May 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST

A voice came from somewhere, a voice asking somebody also in a whisper to put the lights out.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
The candle flickered on until "taps," when the guards, with unconscious irony shouted, "Lights out!"
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
"We don't need lights out at the pier," growled Boggs, comprehending the meaning of Lieutenant Overton's remark.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock
He advised Will and Elmer to come on softly with their lights out.
The Call of the Beaver Patrol|V. T. Sherman
Soon the men began building fires and gathering about them, calling "Lights out!"
War in the Garden of Eden|Kermit Roosevelt

British Dictionary definitions for lights out

lights out

noun

the time when those resident at an institution, such as soldiers in barracks or children at a boarding school, are expected to retire to bed

a fanfare or other signal indicating or signifying this

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lights out

Origin of lights out

Words related to lights out

How to use lights out in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lights out