clean out
phrasal verb
cleaned out; cleaning out; cleans out
1
: to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)
We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage.
2
informal
: to steal or take everything from (someone or something)
The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store.
3
informal
: to use up all or most of the money of (someone)
Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
Examples of clean out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To keep them clean, use a stiff brush at least quarterly to clean out sludge and food particles.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2025
She’d been slotted to clean out her office on the second floor at 9:15 a.m.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
This comes at a time when conservatives are beginning to question why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth isn’t firing more generals and admirals — and particularly cleaning out military academies — of those who have embraced woke ideology.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Mar. 2025
The chickens will have to be removed and individually treated with dusting powder and the coop will have to be cleaned out and fumigated.
—Sal Gilbertie, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2025
She’d been slotted to clean out her office on the second floor at 9:15 a.m.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
This comes at a time when conservatives are beginning to question why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth isn’t firing more generals and admirals — and particularly cleaning out military academies — of those who have embraced woke ideology.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Mar. 2025
The chickens will have to be removed and individually treated with dusting powder and the coop will have to be cleaned out and fumigated.
—Sal Gilbertie, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean out
Cite this Entry
“Clean out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20out. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share