scour out
To scrub the inside of something really hard until it is totally clean, or for water to dig out a hole over time.
Meanings
To clean the inside of a container or vessel by scrubbing it vigorously.
"She scoured out the old cast-iron pot before using it for the first time."
Of water, wind, or natural forces: to erode and hollow out a depression, channel, or cave over time.
"Over thousands of years, the river had scoured out a deep gorge through the limestone."
Used both literally (scrubbing pots, pans, containers) and in geological/natural contexts (rivers scouring out valleys). The literal household sense is slightly old-fashioned; more common in cooking or outdoor contexts.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "scour out" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "scour out" on Looplines