clear out

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate physical movement (e.g. leaving a room, area, or building) or to indicate the removal of something (e.g. possessions). Example sentence: After the guests had finished their meal, they quickly cleared out of the house.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We only clear out what we have".

The New York Times

He wanted to clear out, fast.

The Guardian

Peterson's first moved to clear out management.

Forbes

The big clear out!

Huffington Post

"Let's clear out," he called.

Huffington Post

Clear out under furniture.

WikiHow

Have a clear out!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's a general clear-out.

The New York Times

Then there was a wholesale clear-out.

The Economist

Have a regular clear-out.

The Guardian - Tech

"A major clear-out is needed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear out" to mean 'leave quickly', ensure the context implies urgency or haste. For example, "They cleared out as soon as the argument started".

Common error

Avoid using "clear out" when simply tidying up a space. "Clear out" implies a more thorough emptying or departure, not just surface-level cleaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "clear out" primarily functions as a verb of action, indicating the act of removing something completely or departing from a place swiftly. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in both emptying physical spaces and describing rapid departures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear out" is a versatile phrasal verb with the primary functions of indicating a complete removal or a swift departure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources such as news media and wikis, underlining its widespread use. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the context to avoid misapplication, especially in formal settings where more precise language might be required. Understanding the nuances of "clear out" ensures effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty completely

Focuses specifically on the action of emptying something, omitting the aspect of removal or departure.

remove entirely

Emphasizes the act of removing something completely, rather than vacating a space.

vacate quickly

Highlights the act of leaving a place rapidly, omitting the cleaning or emptying aspect.

completely evacuate

Implies a formal or urgent departure, often due to danger or necessity, adding a layer of seriousness not always present in "clear out".

tidy up

Refers to making a place neat, but doesn't necessarily imply a full removal of items or people, focusing on organization instead.

get rid of

Focuses on disposal, not necessarily vacating a space or completely emptying an area.

throw away

Specifically refers to discarding items, lacking the broader sense of vacating or emptying.

clean up

Suggests a more general cleaning process, not necessarily involving the complete removal of items or people.

purge

Implies a more forceful or thorough removal, often with a negative connotation related to removing unwanted elements.

exterminate

Implies a complete and final removal, often used in the context of pests or unwanted organisms, carrying a stronger connotation than "clear out".

FAQs

How can I use "clear out" in a sentence?

"Clear out" can mean to completely empty a space or to leave quickly. For example, "We need to "clear out" the garage before winter" or "They "cleared out" when they heard the police sirens."

What is the difference between "clear out" and "clean out"?

"Clear out" often implies removing everything from a space, while "clean out" suggests tidying and organizing, possibly including some discarding but not necessarily complete removal.

What can I say instead of "clear out" when talking about leaving a place?

You can use alternatives such as "leave quickly", "vacate", or "depart depending on the formality of the situation.

Is "clear out" formal or informal?

"Clear out" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. For highly formal situations, more precise alternatives like "evacuate" or "remove all items" might be more appropriate.