What is the meaning of ‘Crash out’ in internet slang and text?

As compared to the previous generations, the current generation has prioritized mental health a lot and has focused on their own mental health. The concept of a person reaching their emotional breaking point is not new these days, as people often use phrases like “I'm done” and “I'm going to lose it” to express their frustrations and emotional overload. When a human being is emotionally overwhelmed, they often have the urge to scream or lash out at someone else, which is not very rare for people. 

The younger generation is now using a new phrase to refer to this concept, which is known as 'crashing out'. Crashing out or crashout is a term that has gained a lot of popularity on social media and in conversations between young people. This is the main reason why this term has now turned into a cultural phenomenon, and if you are also looking for Crashout meaning or its proper explanation, then this is the place where you can easily learn about the same. 

Decoding the meaning of “Crashing out.”

Just like many of the modern lexicon and slang words that are often heard around, the word "crashing out" probably came from a slang of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Its first-ever media exposure is speculated to be in the 2016 song "Stepped On" by Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy. However, during the year 2024, the term and its variations were already all over TikTok, and they are used in the different contexts that we are mentioning here. 

• Feeling overwhelmed mentally or emotionally

This kind of overwhelm means that a person is going through such strong emotional pain that he/she will start crying and/or will have a hard time functioning. A panic attack can also happen, or the person may feel stuck and have difficulty expressing himself/herself. In most cases, the person experiences stress for a longer period and does not have relief, thus the episodes build up. 

The most common causes of such experiences are toxic relationship dynamics, a harmful work environment, suffering from chronic pain, or being unable to make positive changes in one's life. Some clips of teenagers collapsing and later narrating their ordeal have become very popular on social media.  

• Making an impulsive decision

The phrase "crash out" might have initially been used to describe a person's sudden and possibly perilous choices, such as going to clubs daily and getting drunk or courting strangers and engaging in other risky relationships. It implies that the person is going through a behavioral crisis in which he/she has little concern for his/her own safety. A person engaging in the very high-risk behavior for more than a week may actually be suffering from a mental disorder; Thus, getting professional help may be a wise idea.

The Psychology behind 'Crashing Out' 

There can be any number of instances when a person is overwhelmed, which is basically 'crashing out'. This can happen for any reason, including mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. This can result in impulsive behavior, which can also challenge the emotional stability of a person.