What does "knackered" mean?
What it means: Completely exhausted - more intense than just "tired." If you're knackered, you're thoroughly worn out."I'm absolutely knackered after that meeting.""She was knackered by the time she got home."How strong is it? Stronger than "tired", about the same as "exhausted." The intensity ca...
What it means
Completely exhausted - more intense than just "tired." If you're knackered, you're thoroughly worn out.
"I'm absolutely knackered after that meeting."
"She was knackered by the time she got home."
How strong is it? Stronger than "tired", about the same as "exhausted." The intensity can be increased: "absolutely knackered" or "completely knackered."
Where it comes from
A "knacker" was someone who slaughtered old or worn-out horses - animals too exhausted to work. Being "knackered" meant being worn out beyond use, like those horses. The word migrated from slaughterhouse to everyday exhaustion.
Is it rude? Not especially. It's informal but not offensive in any meaningful way. You'd use it freely with colleagues and friends.
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Informal British English. Not used in formal writing.
What does "knackered" mean?
Completely exhausted - more intense than just "tired." If you're knackered, you're thoroughly worn out.
"I'm absolutely knackered after that meeting."
"She was knackered by the time she got home."
How strong is it? Stronger than "tired", about the same as "exhausted." The intensity can be increased: "absolutely knackered" or "completely knackered."
Is "knackered" formal or informal?
Informal British English. Not used in formal writing.
Why do native speakers say "knackered"?
A "knacker" was someone who slaughtered old or worn-out horses - animals too exhausted to work. Being "knackered" meant being worn out beyond use, like those horses. The word migrated from slaughterhouse to everyday exhaustion.
Is it rude? Not especially. It's informal but not offensive in any meaningful way. You'd use it freely with colleagues and friends.
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