trip-out
/ˈtrɪp.aʊt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To react with strong surprise, fear, excitement, or confusion. It is informal and often used in spoken English.
- She tripped out when she saw the bill.
- Don't trip out over one bad test.
- He tripped out at the sudden noise.
noun
An event or feeling of strong surprise, fear, excitement, or confusion. It is informal and more common in speech than in formal writing.
- That movie was a total trip-out.
- The message was a real trip-out.
- His reaction was a trip-out.
Adinary Nuance
Trip-out is more casual and slang-like than surprise or shock. It suggests a strong emotional reaction, often sudden and noisy. Use it in speech, jokes, or very informal writing, not in business or academic writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sốc
- Spanish
- alucinar
- Chinese
- 震惊
- Japanese
- びっくりする
- Korean
- 충격받다
Etymology
Trip-out comes from American slang built from trip, a word that can mean a strange mental experience. It became common in late 20th-century informal speech, especially in youth culture.
Common phrases
trip out over somethinga total trip-outtrip out at the news
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is trip-out formal or informal?
- It is very informal. People usually use it in speech, not in formal writing.
- What is the difference between trip-out and freak out?
- Trip-out can mean strong surprise or amazement. Freak out usually means stronger fear, panic, or loss of control.
- Can I use trip-out in academic writing?
- No, it sounds too casual. Use words like surprise, shock, or react instead.