verb
bonk
Suddenly lose energy during prolonged exercise.
The cyclist bonked near the end of the long ride.
Etymology
Bonk is an expressive word for a dull impact. In endurance activity, it names an abrupt collapse of energy, using the image of being suddenly stopped or knocked down.
More examples
- He slowed sharply when he began to bonk.
- She described bonking halfway through the endurance event.
- The exhausted runner had clearly bonked.
Forms
bonk · bonks · bonked · bonking
Similar words
- flag
- Flag means lose energy gradually; bonk suggests a sudden sharp exhaustion during sustained effort.
- hit the wall
- Hit the wall is the common endurance-sport expression for a similar abrupt energy collapse.