Cooked
In serious trouble, exhausted, embarrassed, defeated, or beyond recovery.
“He forgot the assignment was due today. He is cooked.”
Cooked can describe someone who is doomed, in serious trouble, completely exhausted, embarrassed, ruined, or unable to recover from a situation. The intended meaning depends on context.
Cooked has been used to mean done for or finished since at least the nineteenth century. Current internet phrases such as 'I am cooked' and 'are we cooked?' continue that older slang meaning in a modern, exaggerated style.
I'm cooked
A statement that the speaker is exhausted, doomed, embarrassed, or in serious trouble.
we're cooked
A reaction suggesting that a group, plan, situation, or society is in trouble.
cooked beyond repair
An exaggerated way to say that a person or situation cannot easily recover.
What does 'I'm cooked' mean?
It usually means the speaker believes they are exhausted, defeated, embarrassed, or facing a very bad outcome.
Can cooked simply mean tired?
Yes. Someone may say they are cooked after a difficult workout, long shift, or exhausting day.
Is cooked the opposite of cooking?
Often, yes. In slang, someone who is cooking is performing well, while someone who is cooked may be finished, defeated, or in trouble.