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flunk out

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flunk

  [fluhngk]
Use flunk out in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to fail in a course or examination.
–verb (used with object)
2. to fail to get a passing mark in: to flunk math.
3. to give a failing grade to; remove (a student) as unqualified from a school or course.
–noun
4. a failure, as in a course or examination.
—Verb phrase
5. flunk out, to fail and be unable to continue in: He flunked out of flight school.
Origin:
1815–25, Americanism; perh. akin to flinch 1 , funk 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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flunk   (flŭngk)   
v.   flunked, flunk·ing, flunks

v.   intr.
To fail, especially in a course or an examination.
v.   tr.

  1. To fail (an examination or course).

  2. To give a failing grade to.

n.  

  1. The act or an instance of flunking.

  2. A failing grade.

Phrasal Verb(s):
flunk outTo expel or be expelled from a school or course because of work that does not meet required standards.

[Origin unknown.]
flunk'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

flunk 
1823, Amer.Eng. college slang, original meaning "to back out, give up, fail," traditionally said to be an alteration of British university slang funk "to be frightened, shrink from" (see funk (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

flunk out

  1. Expel or be expelled from a school because one's work does not meet the required standard. For example, He flunked out of Harvard after just one year. [Slang; early 1800s.]

  2. Fail at anything, as in The camera ran out of film so we flunked out as photographers. [Slang; late 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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