hollow (redirected from hollowness)

hollow something out

to make the inside of something hollow. Martha hollowed the book out and put her money inside. She hollowed out a book.

See also: out

to have a hollow leg

Fig. to have a great capacity or need for food or drink. Bobby can drink more beer than I can afford. I think he has a hollow leg!

See also: have, leg

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beat somebody hollow  (British & Australian)

to defeat someone easily and by a large amount We played my brother's school at football and beat them hollow.

See also: beat

ring/sound hollow

if something someone says rings hollow, it does not sound true or sincere The claims they made two years ago that peace was just around the corner ring very hollow now.

See beat hollow

See also: ring

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ring hollow also ring false

to seem dishonest, not true, or wrong The Rockets sounded like a defeated team - they talked of the possibility of a comeback, but the words rang hollow. Her characters and situations all ring false and her movie just seems painful and pointless.

Usage notes: often used in the forms a hollow ring or a false ring (a dishonest or not sincere quality): Her story about the hostages is certainly exciting, but it has a hollow ring.

Opposite of: ring true

See also: ring