gouge out
To dig or scoop something out forcefully, making a hole or hollow — like taking someone's eye out or digging a chunk from wood.
Meanings
To remove something by digging or cutting forcefully, leaving a hole or hollow.
"The sculptor gouged out the centre of the wooden block to create the bowl's shape."
To violently remove an eye or a body part (often used in dramatic or violent contexts).
"The attacker threatened to gouge out his eyes if he didn't cooperate."
"He could feel the man trying to gouge his eyes out."
— Cormac McCarthy, 'No Country for Old Men' (2005).
Has a strong physical and often violent connotation. Used literally (e.g. gouging out earth, gouging out eyes) and figuratively (e.g. the policy gouged out resources from the community). The eye-gouging sense is common in dramatic or horror contexts.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "gouge out" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "gouge out" on Looplines