How do you use "Out like a light" in a sentence?

Hit the pillow and was out like a light. The kids were out like a light by 8. After that flight, I was out like a light.

Out like a light

Q: What does "Out like a light" mean?

Fell asleep instantly. Went to sleep immediately and deeply, as quickly as a light being switched off.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Fell asleep instantly.

一下子就睡着了。

Se quedó dormido al instante.

一瞬で眠り込んだ。

순식간에 잠들다.

Went to sleep immediately and deeply, as quickly as a light being switched off.

像关灯一样立刻深深地睡着了。

Se durmió inmediatamente y profundamente, tan rápido como se apaga una luz.

電気を消すように一瞬で深く眠り込んだ。

불이 꺼지듯 즉시 깊이 잠드는 것.

Literal meaning: Turned off like a light (unconscious instantly)

Examples

Hit the pillow and was out like a light.
头一碰枕头就睡着了
Toqué la almohada y me quedé frito
枕に頭をつけた途端に眠りに落ちた
베개에 머리를 대자마자 곯아떨어졌다.
The kids were out like a light by 8.
孩子们8点前就睡着了
Los niños se quedaron fritos a las 8
子供たちは8時までにぐっすり眠っていた
아이들은 8시도 안 돼서 곯아떨어졌다.
After that flight, I was out like a light.
坐完那趟飞机后我一下子就睡着了
Después de ese vuelo, me quedé frito
そのフライトの後、一瞬で眠り込んだ
그 비행 후에 순식간에 곯아떨어졌다.

Pronunciation

/aʊt laɪk ə laɪt/

Usage Guide

Context: instant sleep, exhaustion, deep sleep

Tone: emphatic, casual

✓ Do Say

Out like a light.
一下子就睡着了
Frito al instante
一瞬で眠り込んだ
순식간에 곯아떨어졌어.
Was out like a light.
马上就睡着了
Se quedó frito
すぐに眠り込んだ
금방 곯아떨어졌어.
Went out like a light.
一下子睡着了
Se quedó frito
一瞬で眠った
불 끄듯 잠들었어.

✗ Don't Say

Fell asleep quickly
Fell asleep quickly（普通说法）
Fell asleep quickly（expresión estándar）
Fell asleep quickly（普通の表現）
빨리 잠들었다
Passed out
Passed out（普通说法）
Passed out（expresión estándar）
Passed out（普通の表現）
기절했다

Common Mistakes

Implies very quick, deep sleep
Can also mean knocked unconscious

Origin & History

From the instant darkness when a light is switched off.

Etymology: English idiom

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common idiom; Sleep discussions

Regional notes: Common throughout English-speaking world.

Variations

Out like a lightWent out like a lightOut cold