What Does โClean sb out of sthโ Mean?
โClean sb out of sthโ means to take or remove all of someoneโs money or possessions, often leaving them with nothing. It usually implies that the action was done unfairly or completely.
Introduction
The phrase clean sb out of sth is a common English phrasal verb used to describe situations where someone is left without money or belongings after another person takes everything. The clean sb out of sth meaning focuses on the idea of being emptied out financially or materially. This expression often appears in conversations about gambling losses, theft, or unfair deals. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly will help you communicate more naturally in both casual and formal contexts. It is useful for learners who want to describe situations involving loss, especially when it is total or severe.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: clean sb out of sth (clean somebody out of something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to take all of someoneโs money or possessions
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb clean sb out of sth is transitive, meaning it requires an object. It is separable in the sense that the object can appear after the entire phrase, but the phrase itself is fixed.
- Subject + clean + somebody + out of + something
- Example: They cleaned him out of his savings.
You cannot separate โout ofโ from the phrase, so do not say โclean sb out his savings of.โ
How to Use โClean sb out of sthโ?
You use โclean sb out of sthโ when you want to say that someone has taken all of another personโs money or possessions. This can happen in several contexts, like:
- Gambling: losing all your money
- Theft: being robbed
- Business: unfair deals or scams
The phrase emphasizes the total loss, often leaving the person with nothing.
Examples
- The casino cleaned him out of his entire paycheck.
- She was cleaned out of her inheritance by dishonest relatives.
- He cleaned me out of all my savings in the stock market.
- After the robbery, they cleaned the family out of their valuables.
- Donโt let anyone clean you out of your money in that deal.
These examples show different ways to use โclean sb out of sth in a sentenceโ naturally.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He cleaned out of me all my money.
Correct: He cleaned me out of all my money. - Incorrect: They cleaned her of her jewelry out.
Correct: They cleaned her out of her jewelry. - Incorrect: She cleaned me out all my cash.
Correct: She cleaned me out of all my cash.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include:
- Rob sb of sth: To steal something from someone. โRobโ focuses on theft, while โclean outโ implies taking everything.
- Strip sb of sth: To take away something important, often privileges or titles, rather than money or possessions.
- Take sb for all theyโve got: Informal phrase meaning to cheat or swindle someone completely.
โClean sb out of sthโ is stronger and more total than simply โtakeโ or โsteal.โ
Common Collocations
- Clean sb out of money
- Clean sb out of savings
- Clean sb out of inheritance
- Clean sb out of valuables
- Clean sb out of possessions
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of clean sb out of sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you hear about Tom? He lost all his money at the poker game last night.
Ben: Yeah, the other players cleaned him out of everything he had.
Anna: Thatโs terrible! He must be devastated.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:
- The thief ______ me ______ my wallet and phone.
- After the bad investment, she was ______ out of all her savings.
- Be careful not to let anyone ______ you ______ your money in that deal.
FAQs
- Q: Is โclean sb out of sthโ formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal situations to describe total loss. - Q: Can it be used for things other than money?
A: Yes, it can refer to possessions or valuables as well. - Q: Is this phrase negative?
A: Usually yes, because it implies unfair or complete loss. - Q: Can I say โclean me outโ?
A: Yes, it is common to say โThey cleaned me out of my money.โ
