Phrasal verb
empty out
Definition
phrasal verb. to remove everything from inside a container or a space so that it is completely empty.
phrasal verb. to exhaust the contents of a container or space; often implies a thorough or systematic removal of all items within.
Examples
“Please empty out your pockets before you wash your jeans.”
“We need to empty out the spare room before the new furniture arrives tomorrow.”
“The investigators proceeded to empty out the filing cabinets, searching for any evidence that might link the suspect to the crime.”
Examples
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.”
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'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
empty (+ object) + out (+ object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/empty-out