What it means
A dated British way to say you're completely worn out and running on fumes. It comes from the older verb fag meaning to tire someone out through hard graft, not the American slur. These days it sounds old-fashioned, and outside the UK it can land awkwardly, but you still hear it from older speakers or from anyone being a bit dramatic after a long day.
Usage examples
"I’m fagged out, mate. Twelve-hour shift, Tube was rammed, and I’ve still got washing up waiting. Stick the kettle on, I’m done."
"After moving boxes up four flights all afternoon, I was fagged out before we even started on the furniture."
"The kids are fagged out after the school trip, both asleep before we'd left the car park."
"By Friday night I was absolutely fagged out, so the big pub plan turned into toast and the sofa."
"He's fagged out after doing back-to-back shifts all week. Give him five minutes and a brew before you ask anything."
Where it comes from
It comes from the older English verb fag, used in Britain from the 19th century for toiling, drudging, or wearing yourself out with work. So fagged out simply meant exhausted by effort. That sense is separate from the later American slur, which has a different history altogether.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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