chill out

C

chill out (idiomatic phrasal verb)
/ˈtʃɪl aʊt/

Meanings

• To calm down or relax after being upset, angry, or stressed.
• To take it easy and enjoy leisure without pressure.
• To spend time doing little or nothing; lounging.

Synonyms: relax; unwind; calm down; take it easy; de-stress; mellow out.

Variants

• chill
• chillin’
• chilled out
• chillax (blend of chill + relax)

Example Sentences

1. When the argument got heated, her friend told her to chill out and not take things so seriously.
2. After exams, the students just wanted to chill out at the beach and forget about school.
3. On Sundays, he usually chills out on the couch watching old movies.
4. The cold drink helped him chill out after walking in the hot sun.
5. After work, he just likes to chill with some music and a cup of tea. (chill variant)
6. They were chillin’ on the porch, talking and laughing until midnight. (chillin’ variant)
7. The teacher told the nervous students to chillax before the presentation. (chillax variant)

Origin and History

The phrase “chill out” emerged as a colloquial expression denoting relaxation or calming down, rooted in the broader semantic evolution of the word “chill.” Originally tied to literal sensations of coldness dating back to medieval English, “chill” gradually acquired figurative connotations of cooling emotions or attitudes.

By the late twentieth century, it blended with urban slang influences, particularly from African American Vernacular English, to signify a deliberate act of unwinding or detaching from stress. Etymologically, the compound “chill out” combines the cooling imagery of “chill” with “out,” implying a movement away from tension toward a state of ease.

Various theories suggest this development drew from earlier idiomatic uses of temperature-related words to describe emotional states, such as “cool down,” but “chill out” distinctly captured a laid-back, informal vibe suited to casual social interactions.

Historical Development

Throughout its history, “chill out” has reflected cultural shifts toward informality and leisure in modern society. In the late 1970s, it gained traction amid the rise of hip-hop and urban youth culture, where it served as a verbal cue for de-escalating conflicts or simply enjoying downtime. By the 1980s, the phrase permeated mainstream media, evolving from niche slang to a ubiquitous idiom in everyday speech, music, and advertising.

Some beliefs attribute its popularity to the countercultural emphasis on relaxation during periods of social upheaval, while others link it to the globalization of American pop culture, which exported the expression worldwide.

Over time, variations like “chill” alone or extensions such as “take a chill pill” emerged, reinforcing its role in promoting mental repose amid fast-paced lifestyles.

Country of Origin

The phrase “chill out” first appeared in the United States, emerging from the vibrant linguistic landscape of American urban communities in the northeastern region during the 1970s. It crystallized within the context of New York City’s hip-hop scene, where innovative slang from African American and Latino influences shaped contemporary vernacular. This American genesis underscores the phrase’s ties to domestic cultural movements, distinguishing it from similar relaxative idioms in other English-speaking nations.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest documented use of “chill out” in the sense of relaxing appears in the 1979 recording of the song “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang. Released on September 16, 1979, by Sugar Hill Records, the track features the line:

“Hotel, motel, Holiday Inn / If you don’t tell, I won’t tell / And if the girl don’t want to, we’ll just leave her alone and just chill out.”

This instance marks the phrase’s initial public inscription in popular media, capturing its emergent slang usage within hip-hop lyricism.

Feeling, Phrasal Verbs

Last update: September 17, 2025 9:57 AM