An American slang term meaning something has broken down, stopped working, or gone completely wrong — essentially synonymous with 'kaput' or 'on the fritz.' Typically used in a lighthearted, exasperated way when a device, plan, or system suddenly fails. The word has an onomatopoeic, comic quality that softens frustration. It's been in informal American speech since at least the early 20th century and still pops up in casual conversation.
We were halfway to the airport when the GPS went kerflooey and sent us in the opposite direction.
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(US, slang) kaput.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.