Flunk out
Meaning: To be dismissed from a school or college due to failing grades.
Flunking out is worse than just flunking a test — it means your grades are so bad that the school tells you to leave. It's a significant life event in American culture, often seen as a failure but sometimes as a turning point. Some famous Americans flunked out before finding success elsewhere.
Examples
- He flunked out of med school and ended up becoming a successful entrepreneur. 他从医学院退学了,但最终成为了一名成功的企业家。Lo expulsaron de la facultad de medicina y acabó convirtiéndose en un empresario de éxito.彼は医学部を退学になったが、結局成功した起業家になった。그는 의대에서 퇴학당했지만, 결국 성공한 사업가가 되었다.
- If you keep skipping class, you're going to flunk out. 如果你继续逃课,就要被退学了。Si sigues faltando a clase, te van a echar por suspensos.授業をサボり続けたら、退学になるぞ。계속 수업을 빠지면 퇴학당할 거야.
- She was devastated when she flunked out, but it turned out to be the best thing that happened to her. 被退学的时候她崩溃了,但结果证明那是她经历过的最好的事。Quedó destrozada cuando la expulsaron, pero resultó ser lo mejor que le pasó.退学になったときは打ちのめされたけど、結果的にはそれが彼女に起きた最良のことだった。퇴학당했을 때는 절망했지만, 결과적으로 그녀에게 일어난 최고의 일이었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: school, academic failure, dropping out
Tone: serious, cautionary
✓ Do Say
- He nearly flunked out his freshman year.他大一那年差点被退学。Casi le echan en su primer año de carrera.彼は1年生のときに退学になりかけた。그는 1학년 때 거의 퇴학당할 뻔했다.
- Flunking out isn't the end of the world.被退学不是世界末日。Que te expulsen por suspensos no es el fin del mundo.退学になっても世界の終わりじゃない。퇴학이 세상의 끝은 아니야.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use casually — it's a painful experience for those who went through it不要随意使用——对于经历过的人来说这是很痛苦的经历No lo uses a la ligera — es una experiencia dolorosa para quienes la han vivido軽々しく使わないこと — 経験した人にとっては辛い出来事가볍게 쓰지 마라 — 그것을 겪은 사람들에게는 고통스러운 경험이다
Origin & History
American education slang, extending 'flunk' (fail) with 'out' (completely). Used since the early 20th century to describe complete academic dismissal.
Cultural Context
Era: Early 20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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