scrub out

scrub out

1. To wash the inside of something very thoroughly and vigorously. A noun or pronoun can be used between "scrub" and "out." Did you scrub out the pots and pans like I asked? I've got to take this apart and scrub it out from the inside.

2. To clean some substance or residue out of the inside of something very thoroughly and vigorously. A noun or pronoun is used between "scrub" and "out"; often followed by "of (something)." You can't just leave the pot to soak overnight—you've got to scrub all the burnt food out with a scouring pad. I've got to scrub the gunk out of my keyboard, or it could end up permanently broken.

3. To erase or render illegible by scrubbing, as with a tool or writing implement. A noun or pronoun is used between "scrub" and "out." They used a file to scrub out the serial number on the stolen machine. Someone came over and scrubbed his name out with permanent marker.

See also: out, scrub

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

scrub something out

to clean out the inside of something by rubbing or brushing. Please scrub these pots out and put them away. Jim will scrub out the pots.

See also: out, scrub

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