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Plumb Give Out

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Plumb Give Out" means totally exhausted or worn out - a colorful intensifier phrase built from the regional word "plumb."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #PeopleandRelationships   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern   #MoneyWorkandChores

Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Plumb Give Out' is one of those you'll hear out in the country around here. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Plumb Give Out' is one of those you'll hear out in the country around here. 

Pronunciation

[PLUM GIV out] /plʌm ɡɪv aʊt/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely exhausted or worn out (intensified adjective)

Liza:
You gonna keep working after supper?
Frank:
Can’t - I’m plumb give out.
variations: Plumb Wore Out, Plumb Tuckered Out, Flat-Out Exhausted, Completely Worn Out
★ The power of "plumb" as an intensifier turns "give out" into one of the strongest ways to say "totally exhausted" in Southern/Appalachian speech. ★

Origin and Etymology

Built from the regional intensifier "plumb" + "give out" (to wear out or become exhausted). This phrase reflects older English usage of "plumb" for "completely," kept alive in Southern/Appalachian speech.

Usage Notes

Still widely heard in rural and small-town Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region it sounds quaint or humorous but conveys the same meaning.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "plumb give out" - rhymes with "thumb give out," with "plumb" pronounced like "plum" and "give out" often said without -ed even in past tense.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "plumb give out" only apply to people?
No - it can describe machines, tools, or anything that’s completely worn out or failed.
Is "plumb" the same as "plum"?
No - "plumb" here means "completely," not the fruit.
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially among older speakers and in folksy writing.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Plumb Give Out. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-give-out
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Plumb Give Out." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-give-out.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Plumb Give Out." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/plumb-give-out.
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