1 A2 neutral
To remove all contents from a place, room, or container and make it clean.
"I spent the whole weekend cleaning out the garage — I hadn't touched it in years."
separable
clean out
A2 informal separable transitive
To thoroughly remove all contents from a place and clean it; also to take all of someone's money or possessions.
In plain English
To empty something completely and make it clean; or to take all of someone's money.
What does "clean out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To take all of someone's money or to spend all one's money, leaving nothing.
"That car repair completely cleaned me out — I've got nothing left until payday."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To empty a shop, supply, or stock completely by buying or taking everything.
"Shoppers cleaned out the supermarket shelves in a matter of hours before the storm."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To clean the inside of something so it is empty.
Actually means
To empty something completely and make it clean; or to take all of someone's money.
Usage tip
Used literally for spaces (clean out a cupboard) and informally to mean financially draining someone (the holiday cleaned me out). The financial sense is informal and common in everyday speech.
Words that pair with "clean out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cupboard fridge garage account wallet attic closet
How to conjugate "clean out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clean out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cleans out
he/she/it
Past simple
cleaned out
yesterday
Past participle
cleaned out
have + pp
-ing form
cleaning out
continuous
Hear "clean out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clean out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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