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
California Burglars clean out father-son jewelers, snatch heirlooms, ‘a lifetime’s worth of work’
May 28, 2025
Nasarenko added that the offenses carried additional enhancements since the burglary drew more than $3 million.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
But even with that solace, the physical act of cleaning out her childhood home feels like an unavoidable confrontation with grief.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 18 May 2025
After cleaning out the cast list and the walk-in closet of people from Carrie’s past, King emerges with a fresher, more balanced and focused show that has come a long way from the SATC nostalgia act of Season 1.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
The interior has been stripped down and cleaned out, revealing beautiful features (and the need for extensive work).
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean out
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Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
But even with that solace, the physical act of cleaning out her childhood home feels like an unavoidable confrontation with grief.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 18 May 2025
After cleaning out the cast list and the walk-in closet of people from Carrie’s past, King emerges with a fresher, more balanced and focused show that has come a long way from the SATC nostalgia act of Season 1.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
The interior has been stripped down and cleaned out, revealing beautiful features (and the need for extensive work).
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 14 May 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 Jun. 2025.
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