clean out

phrasal verb

cleaned out; cleaning out; cleans out

: to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)

We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage.

informal : to steal or take everything from (someone or something)

The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store.

informal : to use up all or most of the money of (someone)

Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.

Examples of clean out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Say goodbye to cleaning out the sink and wiping off the counter. —

Addie Morton, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2024 How To Get Started Merry understands the myriad of reasons that can make cleaning out an attic more than just a chore. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2024 Own-It-Now homes haven’t been cleaned out or secured, and the new buyer may have to pay back taxes in addition to the auction and closing costs. —

Carmela Guaglianone, Detroit Free Press, 30 July 2024 Few projects sound quite as unappetizing as cleaning out the attic. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clean out

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clean out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.