Definition

1. Noun:
   • Military command: "lights out" refers to a signal or order to turn off lights, especially in a barracks or dormitory, indicating the time to go to sleep.
   • Curfew or bedtime: In collective living settings (e.g., dormitories, camps), it denotes the designated time when lights must be extinguished and quiet begins.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sergeant announced lights out at 10 p.m. (The order to turn off lights in a military barracks.)
  • In summer camp, lights out is strictly enforced at nine o'clock. (The designated bedtime curfew for campers.)

Advanced Usage

• "to call lights out": to formally announce or enforce the time for lights to be turned off.

  • The counselor called lights out, and everyone went to their bunks. (The counselor gave the order for bedtime.)

• "lights out" as a metaphorical phrase: can refer to the end of an activity or the onset of darkness or death (informal).

  • After the final exam, it was lights out for the semester. (The academic period ended.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lights-out (adj): describing a period or rule related to bedtime or darkness.
  • The lights-out policy helps maintain discipline in the dormitory. (The rule about turning off lights at a fixed time.)

Synonyms

• Bedtime: the time when one goes to bed.
• Curfew: a regulation requiring people to be indoors at a specified time.
• Taps: a military signal for lights out (often a bugle call).

Related Idioms

• "lights out" (informal): used to indicate the end of something, such as a game, event, or life.

  • When the clock hit zero, it was lights out for the opposing team. (The game ended, and the opposing team lost.)

• "lights out and no talking": a common phrase in dormitories or camps, emphasizing silence after lights are turned off.

  • The camp rule is lights out and no talking after 10 p.m. (The combined regulation for bedtime and quiet.)