sieve out
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To remove the unwanted parts of something by separating them carefully, like using a kitchen strainer.
Literal meaning: To remove something by passing a substance through a sieve — a mesh tool used in cooking to separate solid and liquid.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To remove solid particles or lumps from a substance by passing it through a sieve.
"Sieve out any lumps before adding the flour to the batter."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To identify and remove unwanted or irrelevant elements from a larger group or set.
"The software can sieve out duplicate entries from the database automatically."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
More common in British English than American English. The figurative sense is less common than 'sift out' or 'filter out'. Used in culinary, scientific, and occasionally administrative contexts.
Commonly used with
lumps impurities stones data candidates errors
Forms
Base
sieve out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sieves out
he/she/it
Past simple
sieved out
yesterday
Past participle
sieved out
have + pp
-ing form
sieving out
continuous
Understand "sieve out" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "sieve out" on Looplines