What does "root out" mean (sense 1)?

To find and eliminate something harmful or unwanted that is hidden or deeply embedded in a system. Example: "The new director promised to root out corruption throughout the entire organisation."

What does "root out" mean (sense 2)?

To find something by searching thoroughly, often among a collection of things. Example: "He managed to root out an old photograph from the bottom of the box."

What does "root out" mean (sense 3)?

To remove a plant completely by pulling it up from its roots. Example: "We spent the afternoon rooting out the brambles that had spread across the garden."

Browse all

root out

B2 neutral separable transitive

To find and remove or eliminate something harmful or unwanted, especially something deeply embedded.

In plain English

To find something bad that is hiding and get rid of it completely.

What does "root out" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To find and eliminate something harmful or unwanted that is hidden or deeply embedded in a system.

"The new director promised to root out corruption throughout the entire organisation."

separable

2 B2 informal

uncommon

To find something by searching thoroughly, often among a collection of things.

"He managed to root out an old photograph from the bottom of the box."

separable

3 B1 neutral

uncommon

To remove a plant completely by pulling it up from its roots.

"We spent the afternoon rooting out the brambles that had spread across the garden."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To remove a plant by pulling it out by its roots — the figurative sense derives from this image of complete removal.

Actually means

To find something bad that is hiding and get rid of it completely.

Usage tip

Common in political, organisational, and investigative contexts. The image is of digging up a plant by its roots so it cannot regrow — implying thorough, complete removal. Also used for physically removing a plant by its roots (the literal sense). Frequently followed by 'corruption', 'terrorism', 'inefficiency'.

Words that pair with "root out"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

corruption fraud extremism inefficiency wrongdoing dissidents weeds

How to conjugate "root out"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

root out

I/you/we/they

3rd person

roots out

he/she/it

Past simple

rooted out

yesterday

Past participle

rooted out

have + pp

-ing form

rooting out

continuous

Hear "root out" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "root out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "root" All phrasal verbs with "out" More B2-level phrasal verbs