empty (redirected from emptily)

An empty sack cannot stand upright.

Prov. A poor or hungry person cannot function properly. Sit down and have something to eat before you go back to work. An empty sack can't stand upright.

See also: cannot, sack, stand, upright

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

emptier than a banker's heart

Rur. completely empty. My wallet was emptier than a banker's heart. His pockets were emptier than a banker's heart.

See also: heart

empty someone out

to cause someone to empty the bowels, stomach, or bladder. This medication will empty you out. This stuff could empty out an army! He fasted for two days to empty himself out.

See also: out

empty something into something and empty something in

to pour something into something else. Now, empty the can of soup into the pan. Open the can and empty in the contents.

empty something out

to remove or pour all of the contents from something. Please empty this drawer out and clean it. She emptied out the aquarium and cleaned it well.

See also: out

empty into something

[for a river, stream, or man-made conduit] to pour its contents into something. The Amazon River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The drainage pipe empties into the river.

Empty vessels make the most sound.

Prov. Foolish people make the most noise. I suspect Amy is not very smart. She chatters constantly, and as they say, empty vessels make the most sound.

See also: make, most, sound, vessel

go away empty-handed

Fig. to depart with nothing. I hate for you to go away empty-handed, but I cannot afford to contribute any money. They came hoping for some food, but they had to go away empty-handed.

See also: away

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be running on empty  (informal)

1. to continue to work and be active when you have no energy left I get the impression he's been running on empty for months now. A holiday will do him good.

2. (American & Australian) if a person or an organization is running on empty, they have no new ideas or are not as effective as they were before The fund-raising campaign was running on empty after ten years under the same leader.

See also: running

empty nest syndrome

the sad feelings which parents have when their children grow up and leave home The last of her children had recently moved out and she was suffering from empty nest syndrome.

See also: nest

Empty vessels make (the) most noise/sound.

something that you say which means that people who talk a lot and frequently express their opinions are often stupid David talks as if he's an expert on everything, but empty vessels make most noise.

See also: make, most, noise, vessel

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on an empty stomach

when you have not eaten anything He left early this morning and drove three hours on an empty stomach.

See also: stomach

running on empty

lacking energy or enthusiasm He's been running on empty for months now - a vacation will do him good. The program to build low-cost housing has not attracted much support and is running on empty.

Related vocabulary: on automatic pilot

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of running on empty (operating a car with almost no fuel)

See also: running

see the glass (as) half empty

to believe that a situation is more bad than good Some economists looking ahead to the second half of the year see the glass as half empty.

Usage notes: also used in the form the glass is half empty (the situation is seen as bad or not hopeful): A lot of people are unhappy with the way the organization is run - they say the glass is half empty.

See also: glass, half, see