The phrase "out like light" is often used to describe someone who falls asleep quickly and soundly. The spelling of this phrase is fairly straightforward, with each word being spelled the way it sounds. "Out" is spelled with an "ou" diphthong sound IPA /aʊt/ and "like" with a "ai" diphthong sound IPA /laɪk/. "Light" is spelled with a long "i" sound IPA /laɪt/. This phrase is commonly used in informal conversation and can be substituted with similar phrases such as "out cold" or "asleep in no time."
"Out like light" is an idiomatic expression typically used to describe someone who falls into a deep and sound sleep extremely quickly and easily. The phrase is often used informally to convey the idea that a person is asleep within seconds, suggesting a rapid transition from being awake and alert to a state of deep slumber.
The phrase "out like light" draws its metaphorical meaning from the speed with which an electric light can be turned off, where the abruptness of the transition between being lit and being completely dark occurs almost instantaneously. This concept is then applied to describe someone's ability to fall asleep swiftly and without any apparent resistance or difficulty.
The phrase can be employed in various contexts, such as recounting a personal experience or observing someone else's rapid sleep onset. For example, one might say, "After a long day at work, I was out like light as soon as my head hit the pillow." Similarly, it can be used humorously to describe someone who falls asleep at an inconvenient or unexpected moment.
In summary, "out like light" denotes the swift and effortless manner in which a person falls asleep, drawing a comparison to the sudden deactivation of an electric light source.