Meaning & use
strip out
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Meanings
verbtransitive
to remove something completely from a place or system, often because it is old, unwanted, or unnecessary.
Grammar: Takes an object: strip out the old pipes. The object can go between strip and out: strip the old pipes out.
Patterns
- strip out something
- strip something out
- strip something out of something
The builders stripped out the old kitchen before fitting the new one.
We need to strip out all the unnecessary words from this report.
The old wiring was stripped out and replaced last year.
verbtransitivecomputing
to remove data, text, or features from a computer file or system.
Grammar: Used about digital content; often followed by from: strip out the comments from the document.
Patterns
- strip out data
- strip something out of a file
- strip out formatting
The software strips out any personal information before saving the file.
You can strip out the images to make the document smaller.
The update strips out several old features that few people used.
Word forms
| third person singular | strips out |
|---|---|
| past tense | stripped out |
| past participle | stripped out |
| -ing form | stripping out |
Common combinations
- strip out old wiring
- The electrician stripped out the old wiring and put in new cables.
- strip out unnecessary words
- The editor stripped out unnecessary words to make the article clearer.
- strip out the formatting
- Before pasting the text, strip out the formatting so it matches the rest.
- strip out data
- The program strips out data that is no longer needed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- remove
- A more general word that can be used for taking anything away; strip out is stronger and suggests taking out something deeply fixed or complete.
- extract
- Often means to take something out carefully for use, not to get rid of it; strip out usually means removing something unwanted.
- delete
- Used mainly for text or data; strip out can also be used for physical things like pipes or wires.
Opposites
Commonly confused: strip out or stripe out?
strip out vs stripe out
Stripe out is not a common phrasal verb; stripe is a noun or a verb meaning to mark with lines. Do not confuse it with strip out.
Practice
The renovators decided to ______ the old bathroom completely before starting again.
Choose one answer.
Strip out means remove everything unwanted from a place or system, which fits removing the old bathroom. Strip off means take off clothes or a layer; strip down means reduce to essentials; strip away is similar but less common for rooms and systems.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “strip out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.