"Tanked" Explained: What It Means and How to Use This Versatile English Slang

Ever heard someone say they "tanked" an exam or that someone was "tanked" at a party and wondered what they meant? You're not alone! "Tanked" is a popular piece of modern slang with a couple of key meanings. Understanding how to use "tanked" can really boost your informal English and help you sound more like a native speaker. This guide will break down its definition, show you real-life usage, and give you examples so you can use "tanked" confidently. Let's dive into this common phrase!

Table of Contents

• What Does “Tanked” Mean?
• Context and Usage of “Tanked”
• Example Sentences with “Tanked”
• Related Slang Words
• Conclusion

What Does “Tanked” Mean?

The word "tanked" is a fascinating piece of English slang because it has two common, but quite different, meanings. Understanding both will significantly improve your vocabulary building for informal conversations.

1. To be extremely drunk: This is perhaps the most common usage. If someone is "tanked," it means they are very intoxicated from alcohol. It generally conveys a strong level of drunkenness, often to the point of being unable to function normally. The feeling here is usually negative or humorous, depending on the context.

2. To fail badly or decline sharply: This meaning is often used in the context of performance, business, or economics. If something "tanked," it means it failed spectacularly, or its value dropped significantly and suddenly. For example, a student might say they "tanked" an exam, or a news report might say that a company's stock "tanked." This usage conveys a sense of severe and often abrupt failure or decline.

So, when you hear "tanked," pay close attention to the context to understand which definition is being used!

More: Trashed Explained: Use This English Slang Like a Native

Context and Usage of “Tanked”

"Tanked" is a versatile slang term, but its usage depends heavily on which meaning you intend. Here’s a breakdown:

Meaning 1: Extremely Drunk

• Who usually says it? Commonly used by young adults and adults in informal settings. You'll hear it among friends, at parties, or when people are recounting stories about social events. It's a staple of American slang but is understood in many English-speaking regions.
• In what settings? Casual conversations, stories about parties or nights out, social media posts (though perhaps more in recounting events than live-tweeting being "tanked"). You wouldn't use this in a formal or professional setting.
• Tone: Generally informal, can be humorous, or a bit critical/concerned depending on the situation. It’s definitely casual.

Meaning 2: Failed Badly / Declined Sharply

• Who usually says it? This usage is broader. Students might use it for exams, professionals for projects or market performance, sports commentators for a team's performance, and it's common in news reports about the economy or stock market.
• In what settings? Can be used in slightly more formal contexts than the "drunk" meaning, but it's still generally informal. You might hear it in a casual work discussion about a failed project, in sports commentary, or in discussions about academic performance. It's also prevalent in pop culture discussions about movies or TV shows that performed poorly.
• Tone: Usually negative, indicating disappointment, frustration, or a serious setback. It can be used factually ("the stocks tanked") or with more emotion ("I totally tanked my presentation").

Knowing when and how to use "tanked" will help you navigate real-life usage of English slang words more effectively.

More: Smashed Explained Meaning and How to Use This English Slang

Example Sentences with “Tanked”

Let's look at "tanked" in action to understand its real-life usage.

Meaning 1: Extremely Drunk

• Person A: "Did you see Mark at the party last night?" Person B: "Yeah, he was completely tanked after just a few beers! He could barely stand up."

• Person A: "How was your cousin's wedding reception?" Person B: "It was fun, but Uncle Joe got a bit too tanked and started singing karaoke very loudly and off-key."

• Person A: "I'm never drinking that much punch again." Person B: "Why? What happened?" Person A: "I got so tanked I don't even remember how I got home!"

Meaning 2: Failed Badly / Declined Sharply

• Person A: "How did your big presentation go?" Person B: "Oh, don't ask. I think I completely tanked it. My mind went blank."

• Person A: "Did you hear about the new superhero movie?" Person B: "Yeah, I heard it totally tanked at the box office. Critics hated it."

• Person A: "What happened to your investment in that tech company?" Person B: "It tanked. The stock price dropped by 50% overnight after their bad earnings report." According to Merriam-Webster, one of the verb meanings of "tank" is "to make no effort to win : lose intentionally" or "to fail utterly." This informal usage aligns perfectly with our second definition of "tanked" meaning to fail.

More: Understanding 'Plastered': Meaning & Real-Life Usage

Related Slang Words

Here are some other English slang words and common phrases related to the two meanings of "tanked":

Learning these related terms will expand your vocabulary for informal English and help you understand more nuances in conversation.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! "Tanked" is a dynamic piece of modern slang that can mean either being very drunk or failing miserably. The key to understanding and using "tanked" correctly is to pay close attention to the context of the conversation. Adding "tanked" to your vocabulary will definitely help you understand more pop culture references and sound more like a native speaker in casual situations.

Now it's your turn! Can you think of a sentence using "tanked"? Share your example in the comments below, or let us know if there are other English slang words you'd like us to explain. We love helping you on your journey to mastering English! Why not check out our other articles on common phrases and vocabulary building next?