clean out
phrasal verb
cleaned out; cleaning out; cleans out
1
: to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)
We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage.
2
informal
: to steal or take everything from (someone or something)
The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store.
3
informal
: to use up all or most of the money of (someone)
Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
Examples of clean out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Bears spent Monday cleaning out their lockers after a heartbreaking end to what had been a special season.
—
Matt Zahn, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Similar to the lint trap in your dryer, or the filter in your air conditioner, your microwave also has a filter that needs to be cleaned out, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The lockers were cleaned out, the garbage bags were full, and the platitudes were flying in lieu of the confetti that won’t be falling for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in February.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Automotive detritus Does your car need to be cleaned out?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean out
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Matt Zahn, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Similar to the lint trap in your dryer, or the filter in your air conditioner, your microwave also has a filter that needs to be cleaned out, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The lockers were cleaned out, the garbage bags were full, and the platitudes were flying in lieu of the confetti that won’t be falling for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in February.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Automotive detritus Does your car need to be cleaned out?
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean out
Cite this Entry
“Clean out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20out. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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