be cleaned out
To be emptied or devoid of money, food, resources, etc. I'd like to play another round of poker, but I'm totally cleaned out! I wish I could offer you some food to go with your tea, but I'm afraid we're cleaned out. We have three teenage boys, so we're pretty much cleaned out within hours of grocery shopping.
clean out
1. To rid a space or area of dirt, grime, or objects. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." Hand me that sponge so I can clean out the oven. How often do we need to clean out the rabbit's cage? Ew, why am I the one who has to clean out the gunky shower drain?
2. To impel people to leave a space or area. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." The sound of approaching sirens quickly cleaned out the high schooler's house party. Because the car backfire sounded like a gunshot, it cleaned out the park in a matter of seconds. Don't worry, the police are here now, and they'll clean these hooligans out of the store.
3. To remove things from a space or area. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." We need to clean all this junk out of the garage so that I can actually put my car in it! I cleaned a ton of old notes out my desk today. Would you please clean any clothes that no longer fit out of the closet? We could really use the extra room.
4. To significantly deplete one's finances. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." I got cleaned out at the poker game last night, so can you pay for dinner? Christmas shopping this year really cleaned me out. Man, the tax bill always seems to clean me out. And once I've saved up some money again, I get hit with another one!
5. To rid a group or organization of someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." After five losing seasons, the team's owner cleaned out the front office. This is a serious scandal, so we need to talk about cleaning out City Hall. After its second year of flagging sales, the CEO cleaned out upper management to bring in some fresh talent.
6. To use a particular resource in its entirety. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." Unfortunately, that big event cleaned out our department's funds. It looks like we don't have any cookies left—the boys must have cleaned them out after school. Hey, do you have any quarters? That last customer totally cleaned out my supply.
7. To cause one to thoroughly empty one's bowels. A noun or pronoun can be used between "clean" and "out." That bout of illness really cleaned me out. Something I ate seriously cleaned me out, ugh. Only now is my stomach finally starting to feel somewhat normal. You drank the tap water in this country? Oh man, that stuff cleans tourists out.
cleaned out
1. Having significantly depleted finances. I'm cleaned out after the poker game last night, so can you pay for dinner? I just had all my bills come due at once, so I'm cleaned out right now. A: "I know it's almost March, but I'm still cleaned out from Christmas shopping!" B: "Yeah, because you buy splashy gifts for everyone on your list!"
2. Having been caused to thoroughly empty one's bowels. I am really cleaned out after that bout with the stomach bug. You tourists drank the tap water in this country? Oh man, you're gonna be cleaned out in now time. I'm seriously cleaned out after that bout of food poisoning. My stomach is only now starting to feel somewhat normal.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.