rust out

rust out

1. To become thoroughly corroded by rust, especially as to cause something to be full of holes or no longer work correctly. I went to go put the pile of leaves and branches into the wheelbarrow, but the whole thing was rusted out! You see here? The engine block is totally rusted out, meaning we'll have the replace the whole thing.

2. To cause something to become thoroughly eaten through by rust. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "rust" and "out." Saltwater has rusted the hull out completely—the boat won't be seaworthy until you fix it. Because this part of the machine wasn't sealed correctly, moisture got in and rusted out the electronics.

See also: out, rust

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

rust out

to develop holes or weak places owing to rust. Our hot water heater rusted out and flooded the basement.

See also: out, rust

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