The phrasal verb "wipe out" is predominantly used in informal contexts, although it can occasionally appear in semi-formal reports when discussing broad concepts such as damage or elimination. Its most common uses involve expressing the complete destruction or eradication of something, commonly in reference to physical destruction, like an accident, or metaphorically, as when referring to financial ruin or devastating losses. Examples include wiping out a pest infestation or a financial market downturn wiping out investment values. The phrase can also describe a physical fall or crash, particularly in sports or activities that involve balance, like surfing or snowboarding. While "wipe out" is generally considered informal, its vivid imagery—suggestive of thoroughness and finality—ensures it is impactful across both spoken and written mediums.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To destroy or eliminate completely.
The hurricane wiped out the entire village.
The disease wiped out a large portion of the population.
2. To exhaust or tire someone completely.
Running the marathon completely wiped me out.
The long day at work wiped him out.
3. To fall over, especially in sports or when losing one's balance.