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
Soon, the accounts are cleaned out and the acquaintance has disappeared.
—
Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Microsoft is cleaning out its closet this month, first killing Skype, and now the Publisher app.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
It was last cleaned out in 2019, when the sand was placed on South Ponto Beach.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
This indecisive time period is perfect for cleaning out your closet.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean out
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Bob Carlson, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Microsoft is cleaning out its closet this month, first killing Skype, and now the Publisher app.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
It was last cleaned out in 2019, when the sand was placed on South Ponto Beach.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
This indecisive time period is perfect for cleaning out your closet.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 8 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 24 Mar. 2025.
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