lights out

American  

noun

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

2. bedtime.

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lights out British  

noun

1. 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

2. a fanfare or other signal indicating or signifying this

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Etymology

Origin of lights out

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

So Musselman grabbed the gym’s keys, turned the lights out and locked the doors.

From Los Angeles Times

Your firm’s IPO ETF has been relatively flat this year while the International IPO ETF is shooting the lights out, with a gain of nearly 40%.

From Barron's

They then travelled to Rothley where they waited in Mrs Spragg's car with the lights out.

From BBC

“From then on,” Bibens-Dirkx said, “he was lights out.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bamboozle tour has just been lights out, out of control fun, and obviously playing some of my favorite cities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collapse
• departure
• dissolution
• downfall
• extinction
• failure
• passing
• termination