come away empty-handed

come away empty-handed

To return from an experience or event without having gained anything. I worked so hard to prepare for the competition, and I still came away empty-handed, thanks to another fourth-place finish. Don't come away from the dessert table empty-handed—bring me a piece of cake! We are certainly hoping we win the award, but we're proud of our work either way. If we come away empty-handed, then oh well.

See also: away, come

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come away empty-handed

to return without anything. All right, go gambling. Don't come away empty-handed, though. Go to the bank and ask for the loan again. This time don't come away empty-handed.

See also: away, come

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.