1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To identify and remove unsuitable or inferior people from a group, especially during a selection process.
"The interview process is designed to weed out candidates who lack the necessary skills."
separable
weed out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To identify and remove unwanted, inferior, or unsuitable elements from a larger group.
In plain English
To go through a group of things or people and get rid of the ones that don't belong or aren't good enough.
What does "weed out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To identify and remove unwanted or harmful elements from a system, collection, or process.
"The new software helps weed out duplicate files from your hard drive."
separable
3 A2 neutral
To physically remove weeds from a garden or planted area.
"She spent Saturday morning weeding out the flower beds."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pull weeds out of a garden — directly mirrors the figurative meaning of removing unwanted elements.
Actually means
To go through a group of things or people and get rid of the ones that don't belong or aren't good enough.
Usage tip
Used broadly in educational, professional, agricultural, and military contexts. The metaphor comes from removing weeds from a garden. Very common in both British and American English. Often used in hiring processes and quality control.
Words that pair with "weed out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
candidates applicants problems corruption mistakes weak players inefficiencies
How to conjugate "weed out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
weed out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
weeds out
he/she/it
Past simple
weeded out
yesterday
Past participle
weeded out
have + pp
-ing form
weeding out
continuous
Hear "weed out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "weed 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.