Meaning & use
cleared out
Last updated
“cleared out” is a form of “clear out”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
Emptied a space by removing the things in it, especially unwanted items.
Grammar: Takes an object: she cleared out the attic. The object can come before out when it is a pronoun: she cleared it out.
Patterns
- cleared something out
- cleared out something
We cleared out the garage over the weekend and took three loads to the dump.
He cleared out his desk on his last day.
After the move, they cleared out the old shed.
phrasephrasal verbinformal
Left a place quickly, often because you were told to or because trouble was coming.
Grammar: No object; informal: the crowd cleared out.
Patterns
- cleared out of somewhere
The customers cleared out when the alarm sounded.
He told the kids to clear out, but they had already cleared out of the yard.
By midnight, everyone had cleared out of the bar.
phrasephrasal verbinformal
Took all the money or possessions from someone or something, leaving little or nothing.
Grammar: Takes an object; informal.
Patterns
- cleared someone out
The burglars cleared out the shop in minutes.
The bad bet cleared him out completely.
Thieves cleared out the safe while the owners were away.
Word forms
| base verb | clear out |
|---|---|
| -ing form | clearing out |
Common combinations
- cleared out the closet
- She cleared out the closet before the new baby arrived.
- cleared out of town
- The gang cleared out of town before dawn.
- cleared out his desk
- He cleared out his desk and left a note for his boss.
- cleared out the bank account
- Someone cleared out the bank account overnight.
Synonyms and how they differ
- emptied
- Emptied is neutral and fits any container, while cleared out suggests removing unwanted or leftover items.
- decluttered
- Decluttered stresses getting rid of mess in a home, and cleared out can mean taking everything.
- cleaned out
- Cleaned out is close, but it can add the idea of scrubbing or of stealing everything.
- left
- Left is the plain verb for going away, whereas cleared out suggests a hurried or forced departure.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cleared out or cleaned up?
cleared out vs cleaned up
Cleaned up means made tidy and removed dirt, while cleared out means removed the contents.
Practice
Which sentence uses cleared out correctly?
Choose one answer.
A noun object can fall between clear and out or after out, as in cleared the basement out. The other sentences break the phrasal verb word order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cleared out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.