What Does “Strip sth from sth” Mean?
“Strip sth from sth” means to remove something completely from something else. It often involves taking away an important part or feature.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “strip sth from sth” is commonly used in both spoken and written English. It refers to the action of removing or taking something away from an object, person, or situation. This phrase is useful in many contexts, such as law, technology, or everyday life. Understanding the Strip sth from sth meaning helps learners express ideas about loss, removal, or separation clearly and naturally.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: strip sth from sth (strip something from something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to remove something completely from something else
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Strip sth from sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, meaning you cannot separate the verb and the preposition.
- Correct pattern: strip + something + from + something
- Example: They stripped the paint from the wall.
How to Use Strip sth from sth?
Use “strip sth from sth” when you want to describe removing or taking away something completely. The first “sth” is the thing being removed, and the second “sth” is the source or place it is removed from. It often suggests force or thoroughness in removal.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use Strip sth from sth in a sentence:
- The workers stripped the old wallpaper from the living room walls.
- The law stripped him of his right to vote after the conviction.
- The software strips metadata from images to protect privacy.
- She was stripped of her title after breaking the rules.
- They stripped the engine from the car for repairs.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order or use incorrect prepositions. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: They stripped from the wall the paint.
- Correct: They stripped the paint from the wall.
- Incorrect: He stripped the rights to him.
- Correct: He was stripped of his rights.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “take sth off,” “remove sth from,” and “pull sth off.” However, “strip sth from sth” often implies a more complete or forceful removal, especially of something valuable or essential.
- Take sth off: Usually means to remove something physically but less forcefully (e.g., take off a hat).
- Remove sth from: More general and neutral, can be physical or abstract.
- Pull sth off: Usually means to succeed in doing something or physically pull something away.
Common Collocations
Some common objects used with “strip sth from sth” include:
- Rights – to lose legal or personal freedoms
- Paint – to remove layers of paint
- Title – to lose a rank or award
- Clothing – to remove clothes
- Metadata – to remove data from digital files
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of strip sth from sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a conversation using “strip sth from sth”:
Anna: Did you hear? The company stripped him of his manager position.
Ben: Really? Why?
Anna: Because of the financial mistakes he made.
Ben: That’s serious. Stripping someone of a title is a big deal.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “strip sth from sth”:
- The police ________ the suspect ________ his weapons before questioning him.
- She was ________ her citizenship after the scandal.
- They ________ the old wallpaper ________ the bedroom walls last weekend.
FAQ
- Q: Can “strip sth from sth” be used for emotions?
A: Usually no. It is more common for physical or legal removal. - Q: Is “strip sth from sth” formal or informal?
A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I say “strip from sth” without the object?
A: No. The object being removed is necessary. - Q: Is “strip sth from sth” separable?
A: No. You cannot separate the verb and preposition. - Q: What is a synonym for “strip sth from sth”?
A: “Remove sth from sth” is a common synonym.
