bleed dry

USAGE SUMMARY

"bleed dry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is totally used up or completely empty. For example: "The country's resources have been bled dry by years of war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Britain is pressing for a European pledge not to impose tariffs on African countries should they refuse to sign the agreements by Dec. 31, and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said Saturday that Europe should not "bleed dry" poor countries.

The New York Times

Che Guevara famously called for "one, two, many Vietnams!" The idea was that constant warfare around the globe could at some point bleed dry the United States.

Huffington Post

But, boy, how about that BABY DADDY and that MR. OLYMPIA and that BLEED DRY, huh?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Others are bled dry by diversions.

The New York Times

Today, St. Charlie's has been bled dry.

The New York Times

The militants complained that the island was being "bled dry".

The Guardian

The Greek people can't be bled dry any longer".

The Guardian - Business

Trapped in a downward spiral, they borrow again and again until they are bled dry.

The New York Times

It's dull, stodgy products that have been downsized and bled dry by corporate owners.

The New York Times

Despite its fabulous potential wealth, Congo itself was nearly bled dry by the time this latest war broke out.

The New York Times

In a hospital where nurses demand payment for painkillers, children give blood: "They are being bled dry.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the phrase in discussions about economic crises, predatory lending or corporate mismanagement to highlight the severity of resource loss.

Common error

Do not use "bleed dry" when a resource simply runs out on its own. If a well stops producing water naturally, it has "run dry". Use "bleed dry" only when there is an external force or person actively taking the resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bleed dry" functions as a transitive idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to describe situations where something is totally used up or completely empty. It follows a structure where the object being depleted is placed between the verb and the adjective in active voice, or the object becomes the subject in passive constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Informal

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bleed dry" is a powerful idiomatic expression that denotes the complete exhaustion of resources. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to illustrate the dire consequences of exploitation or systemic failure. Whether used to describe a bank account, a country's economy or a person's spirit, the phrase remains a sharp tool for writers seeking to emphasize the finality and harshness of depletion. It is grammatically versatile and highly effective in both active and passive forms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drain dry

Uses a different liquid metaphor but conveys the same meaning of emptying something completely.

milk dry

Emphasizes the act of exploiting a resource for everything it is worth.

bleed white

A synonymous idiom that specifically implies depriving someone or something of all their money or resources.

squeeze dry

Focuses on the pressure applied to extract every last bit of value.

strip bare

Implies removing all assets or protections until nothing remains.

exhaust all resources

A more formal and literal way to describe the state of having nothing left.

deplete entirely

A neutral, scientific or technical way to describe total reduction.

run dry

Often used for natural resources or funds that stop flowing naturally rather than being forcibly taken.

siphon off

Focuses on the gradual and often illicit removal of funds or resources.

empty out

The most basic literal equivalent, lacking the exploitative nuance.

FAQs

How do I use "bleed dry" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an entity being "drained of resources", for example: "High taxes are starting to "bleed dry" the middle class."

What is a more formal way to say "bleed dry"?

In professional writing, you might prefer "deplete entirely" or "exhaust resources" to avoid the visceral imagery of the idiom.

Is it "bleed dry" or "bled dry"?

Both are correct depending on the tense. Use "bleed dry" for the present and "bled dry" for the past or passive voice.

Can "bleed dry" be used for emotions?

Yes, it is common to describe someone being "emotionally exhausted" by a difficult relationship or situation as being bled dry.