dump out

USAGE SUMMARY

"dump out" is a valid and commonly used phrase in spoken and written English.
It means to pour out or empty the contents of something quickly and forcefully. Example: He opened the trash can and dumped out the contents. In this sentence, "dump out" is used to describe the action of pouring out the contents of the trash can in a forceful manner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They even dump out the coffee grounds.

The New York Times - Tech

So if you want to divide them, dump out the soil -- gently -- and find the rhizomes.

The New York Times

"You have to find and dump out all the things that hold water," he said.

The New York Times

Officials are urging the bitable public to dump out buckets, tires and toys after every rainfall.

The New York Times

A couple of years ago, Garver had found an old household dump out in the woods.

The New Yorker

"That would mean you should come over and dump out my trash?" "I never thought you'd lend me money," Brad mumbled.

The New Yorker

Basically your best bet is to dump out all the pieces and get building.

TechCrunch

Ready to dump out a chunk of change to AT&T for your next smartphone?

TechCrunch

"When I dump out the clutch on one of Jesse's bikes," he says, "it's like being on a rocket".

Forbes

They just dump out their toy wagon, we buy their stuff, maybe pick up a printer, and move on.

TechCrunch

Comfort IN, dump OUT.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dump out" when you want to emphasize the action of quickly and sometimes carelessly emptying something. For instance, "Dump out the water before it floods the area."

Common error

Avoid using "dump out" in formal contexts where a more refined term like "empty" or "discharge" would be more appropriate. "Dump out" often implies a lack of care or precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "dump out" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of emptying something by pouring or tipping it out. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts. Examples from Ludwig show it used in scenarios ranging from emptying coffee grounds to cleaning containers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

47%

News & Media

39%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "dump out" is a common and generally informal way to describe the act of emptying something by pouring or tipping it out. Ludwig AI validates its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in instructional and descriptive scenarios. While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid using "dump out" in formal settings, opting instead for more refined terms like "empty" or "discharge". As seen in the Ludwig examples, the phrase frequently appears in WikiHow and news articles, indicating its versatility and prevalence in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty out

Focuses on the action of making something empty.

pour out

Describes the act of releasing contents, usually liquids, from a container.

throw away

Emphasizes discarding something unwanted.

discard

A more formal term for throwing something away.

toss out

Similar to throw away, but often implies a less careful action.

get rid of

A general phrase for eliminating something.

unload

Suggests removing a load or burden.

discharge

Describes the act of releasing or emptying something.

clear out

Focuses on removing items from a space.

evacuate

Implies removing contents, often due to an emergency.

FAQs

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

You can use "dump out" to describe emptying something quickly, such as "He opened the bag and "dumped out" the coins onto the table".

What are some alternatives to "dump out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "empty out", "pour out", or "discard".

Is "dump out" formal or informal?

"Dump out" is generally considered an informal term. In more formal contexts, consider using "empty" or "discharge".

What does it mean to "dump out" something?

To "dump out" means to empty something quickly and often carelessly, by tipping it over. For example, to "dump out" a bag of trash into a bin.