Wiped Out – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever had a long day of work, travel, or studying—and collapsed on the couch, too tired to move? Or heard news about a town hit by a flood or fire? In English, you can say you’re wiped out or that something was wiped out. This vivid phrase is used to describe total exhaustion in people—or complete destruction of places, money, or things.
What Does “Wiped Out” Mean?
“Wiped out” has two main meanings:
1. Physically or mentally exhausted—too tired to do anything else (“After the hike, I was totally wiped out.”)
2. Completely destroyed, removed, or eliminated—like savings, buildings, or populations (“The wildfire wiped out the entire village.”)
Think of it like a wave washing everything away—whether it’s your energy or something in the real world. The phrase is strong, emotional, and very common in spoken English.
When to Use It
Use “wiped out” in casual or emotional conversations:
• For personal exhaustion: “I’m wiped out after that meeting.”
• For natural disasters, losses, or damage: “His savings were wiped out in the crash.”
• In news or storytelling: “The species was nearly wiped out by hunting.”
It’s informal but widely understood—great for speaking, texts, or dramatic descriptions. Avoid it in formal reports unless quoting or emphasizing severity.
Example Sentences
- I stayed up all night studying—I’m completely wiped out.
- The tsunami wiped out three coastal towns.
- Don’t ask me to cook; I’m wiped out from work.
- His business was wiped out during the economic crisis.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “You okay? You look exhausted.”
Jamie: “Yeah… I’m totally wiped out. I ran a marathon this morning!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “wiped out” for mild tiredness or small losses. It implies total depletion—not just “a little tired” or “some money lost.” Also, remember it’s always “wiped out” (past tense) or “feel wiped out” (adjective)—not “wipe out” when describing your state.
❌ Don’t say: “I’m wipe out.”
✅ Do say: “I’m wiped out.”
✅ Do say: “The storm wiped out the power grid.”
Practice Tip
Next time you’re truly exhausted—after a workout, travel, or a long day—say: “I’m wiped out.” If you read news about a disaster or financial loss, notice phrases like “wiped out.” Using the expression in real moments helps it feel natural and powerful.
Final Note
Now you can use “wiped out” to express deep exhaustion or total loss—with emotion and clarity. It’s a phrase full of impact, used daily by native speakers in real life and media. Keep listening for it in shows, news, and chats. You’re not just learning words—you’re learning how people describe their limits and losses. Keep going—you’ve got this!
