The idiom "shorting out" means to stop working or functioning correctly, usually due to an electrical problem or a sudden loss of power. It can also mean losing control of one's emotions or mental state, usually due to stress, anger, or shock.

In short:

• It means to stop working or functioning properly.
• It can also mean to lose control of one's emotions.
• It can apply to machines, devices, or people.

What Does "Shorting Out" Mean?

The idiom "shorting out" means something is not working correctly or fails because of an electrical problem. It can describe a situation where a device, machine, or system stops functioning or performs poorly due to a fault in its wiring, battery, or circuitry. On the other hand, the phrase can also be used figuratively to describe a person who is not thinking clearly, acting rationally, or behaving generally due to stress, fatigue, emotion, or illness.

Where Does "Shorting Out" Come From?

The idiom "shorting out" comes from the technical term "short circuit," which refers to an abnormal connection between two points in an electric circuit that causes a large current to flow and damage the course. A short circuit can occur when two wires touch each other, a wire breaks or wears out, or something metal comes into contact with the circuit. It can cause sparks, smoke, fire, explosions, or electric shocks.

10 Examples of "Shorting Out" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

• The old electrical wires were so worn that they kept shorting out.
• Holy cow. The heavy rain caused the car's headlights to start shorting out.
• She felt like she was shorting out after staying up all night studying for the test.
• That's too bad. The phone line was shorting out, and we couldn't hear each other.
• She was shorting out from the medication. She was hallucinating and talking nonsense.
• The air conditioner was shorting out and blowing hot air. We had to call the repairman.
• The car engine started shorting out and making weird noises. We had to call away for help.
• Oh, snap. The toaster oven is shorting out again. We should get rid of it before it causes a fire.
• The TV was shorting out and showing static. We had to adjust the antenna and hit it a few times.
• He was shorting out from the lack of sleep due to coffee. He was making mistakes and forgetting things.

Examples of "Shorting Out" in Pop Culture

 Here are some examples of how this idiom has appeared in various forms of pop culture:

• In The Terminator (1984), the cyborg assassin, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, starts "shorting out" after being damaged by a car bomb. He has to repair his eye and arm in a motel room.
• In the song Short Circuit (2001) by Daft Punk, the electronic duo used samples of synthesizers and drum machines that sounded "shorting out" or glitching. The song was part of their album Discovery, inspired by their childhood memories of music and cartoons.
• In the game Portal 2 (2011), Wheatley is a spherical robot corrupted by power and tries to kill the player. He starts "shorting out" and malfunctioning as the player sabotages his systems and escapes his traps.

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "Shorting Out"

Here are some synonyms for the idiom:

• Fizzling out
• Conking out
• Going haywire
• Breaking down
• Malfunctioning

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Shorting Out"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "shorting out" mean?

The idiom "shorting out" means to stop working or functioning correctly, usually due to an electrical problem or a sudden loss of power. It can also mean losing control of one's emotions or mental state, usually due to stress, anger, or shock.

• What is the origin of the phrase "shorting out"?

The idiom "shorting out" comes from the technical term "short circuit," which refers to an abnormal connection between two points in an electric circuit that causes a large current to flow and damage the course.

• What is the difference between "shorting out" and "shortening"?

"Shorting out" is an idiom that means something is not working correctly or fails because of an electrical problem. "Shortening" is a noun that means a solid fat used in baking or a verb that means making something shorter in length, duration, or extent.

• Is "shorting out" a slang term?
  

No, "shorting out" is not a slang term. It is a standard expression that is derived from a technical word. However, it can be used informally or colloquially to describe various situations or problems.

• Can you use "shorting out" in a positive way?

No, "shorting out" is not a cheerful expression. It implies that something is not working properly or fails because of an electrical problem. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person not thinking clearly, acting rationally, or behaving generally due to stress, fatigue, emotion, or illness.

• What are some antonyms for "shorting out"?

Some antonyms for "shorting out" are "working," "functioning," "operating," "performing," and "succeeding."

• How do you pronounce "shorting out"?

You pronounce "shorting out" as /ˈʃɔːrtɪŋ aʊt/ in British English and /ˈʃɔːrtɪŋ aʊt/ in American English.

• How do you spell "shorting out"?

You spell "shorting out" as S-H-O-R-T-I-N-G O-U-T. You can also use a hyphen between the words, such as "shorting-out."

• What are some idioms that are similar to "shorting out"?

Some idioms that are similar to "shorting out" are "going on the blink," "going kaput," "going bust," and "hitting the skids." These idioms also mean that something is not working correctly or fails.

• What are some situations where you can use "shorting out"?

You can use "shorting out" when something is not working correctly or fails because of an electrical problem. For example, you can use it to talk about your appliances, gadgets, vehicles, or machines. You can also use it figuratively to talk about your mental or emotional state, such as when you are confused, overwhelmed, or exhausted.

Final Thoughts About "Shorting Out"

"Shorting out" is an idiom that something is not working correctly or fails due to an electrical problem. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person not thinking clearly, acting rationally, or behaving generally due to stress, fatigue, emotion, or illness.

Here are some key points to remember about this idiom:

• It comes from the technical term "short circuit," which refers to an abnormal connection between two points in an electric circuit that causes a large current to flow and damage the course.
• It has some synonyms and related expressions that can be used interchangeably.
• It can be used literally and figuratively, depending on the context.