ENGLISH
REFERENCE

empty out

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to remove everything from inside a container or a space so that it is completely empty.

phr. v.. to exhaust the contents of a container or space; often implies a thorough or systematic removal of all items within.


SIMPLE

Please empty out your pockets before you wash your jeans.

CONTEXTUAL

We need to empty out the spare room before the new furniture arrives tomorrow.

COMPLEX

The investigators proceeded to empty out the filing cabinets, searching for any evidence that might link the suspect to the crime.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
empty (+ object) + out (+ object)
Usage

often used with containers like bags, drawers, or rooms; the object can come before or after 'out'.

Teaching tip

contrast with the simple verb 'empty'; 'empty out' often suggests a more deliberate or complete action of removing items one by one.

Pitfall

Empty out it.Empty it out.when using a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between the verb and the particle 'out'.

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