zombie out meaning (slang): definition, etymology and quotations

zombie out

verb

Etymology First attested in 1981. From zombie + out. Compare the earlier adjective zombied-out (1976).

Idiomatic, Slang To become listless, vacant, or unresponsive.

1981, Contemporary Keyboard VII:i–vi, page unknown Ada Richter has compiled [Piano Classics] with the noble idea of helping younger students work on various aspects of technique without having to zombie out on drills and exercises.
After Dennis got killed, my mom just kind of zombied out for a couple of years.1984, Kirkus Reviews, LII:xix-xxiv, page 986:

4 more examples

After I’ve been zombied out, will they hurt my dad?1986, Jerome Charyn, War Cries Over Avenue C, page 271:
After the ‛copter had crashed on Cobre Road, [Cody] figured he’d zombied out.1988, Robert R. McCammon, Stinger, page 321:
Black women just seem to do their time different. They sing more, goof around more. They don’t zombie out like the rest of us.1989, Patricia McConnel, Sing Soft, Sing Loud, page 60:
My man here keeps zombying out.1991, PRISM international, XXX, page 73: