bleed (someone/something) dry
1 of 2phrase (1)
: to take or command all of one's resources (as money or energy)
Many businesses complain that the new taxes are bleeding them dry.
These wars are bleeding the economy dry.
computer applications that draw so much power they bleed system resources dry
milk/bleed/suck (someone or something) dry
2 of 2phrase (2)
informal
: to take or use up everything from (someone or something)
He married her for her money and then bled her dry.
She milked the system dry.
Cite this Entry
“Bleed (someone/something) dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleed%20%28someone%2Fsomething%29%20dry. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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