English Reference
Idiom idiom

weed out


To remove (unwanted elements) from a group.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The manager will weed out the weakest candidates.

CONTEXTUAL

After the first round of interviews, the HR team weeded out anyone without the right experience.

COMPLEX

Over the centuries, natural selection had slowly weeded out the less adaptable species, leaving only those hardy enough to survive the harsh winters.


Last updated August 10, 2026