empty trash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "empty trash" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the action of removing deleted files from a computer's trash or recycling bin. Example: "I need to empty the trash before my computer runs out of space." Alternative expressions include "clear trash" and "delete trash."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Instructional

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

An empty trash can sits on the back porch.

The New York Times - Sports

In the nearby streets, garbage was piled on the curb beside empty trash bins.

The New York Times

He was carrying an empty trash basket toward the Rite Aid.

The New Yorker

Then go to the Finder menu and choose the Empty Trash option.

The New York Times - Tech

(Go into the Finder menu on the top of the screen, and select "Secure Empty Trash").

The New York Times

Q. On a Mac, what is the difference between "Empty Trash" and "Secure Empty Trash"? A. Choosing the "Empty Trash" option under your Mac's Finder menu tells the computer to delete the files you have dumped in the bin, but it still may be possible to retrieve them by using a data-recovery program or hard-disk utility software.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hundreds of vacant lots that the city has sold at auction since 1996 remain empty trash-strewn lots that blight neighborhoods in desperate need of more housing, according to a report released yesterday by a housing advocacy group.

The New York Times

They proposed turning the empty, trash-filled lot that represented so much pain and anguish into a positive and contemplative space with grand horticultural landscapes and stone walkways.

Vice

One employee went about emptying trash bins.

The New York Times

He emptied trash cans in Woodhaven -- where he had just bought a house with his wife, Maria.

The New York Times

He cleans bathrooms, empties trash, dusts a giant globe that shows the journeys of people to the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secure empty trash" when emphasizing that data is being overwritten for privacy, as seen in Ludwig examples from technical sources.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use "delete" when they mean "empty trash". In most operating systems, items are not deleted until the trash is actually emptied. Be precise: use "move to trash" for the first step and ""empty trash"" for the final, permanent step.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""empty trash"" primarily functions as a verb-object construction in which the verb "empty" acts upon the noun "trash". In technical contexts, it often serves as a fixed imperative command. According to Ludwig AI, it can also appear as an adjective-noun phrase when describing a "trash can" that is currently void of contents.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

45%

General Reference

10%

Less common in

Academic

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""empty trash"" is a fundamental English expression used to describe the final disposal of waste. Ludwig AI highlights its dual significance: it is just as common in descriptions of manual labor—such as custodial work mentioned in The New York Times—as it is in digital interface instructions for computer systems. One key distinction noted in high-quality sources is between standard disposal and "secure empty trash", which involves data overwriting. Whether you are writing a household chore list or a technical manual, ""empty trash"" is the most accurate and widely recognized term for these actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear the bin

Commonly used in UK English or software contexts to denote emptying a receptacle.

remove the trash

A neutral alternative focusing on the removal action itself.

empty the wastebasket

Uses a different noun for the container, often used in office or domestic settings.

dispose of garbage

More formal way to describe the act of getting rid of waste materials.

take out the garbage

Specifically refers to the physical chore of moving trash to an external collection point.

purge the trash

Stronger verb used in technical or database contexts for total removal.

dump the trash

More informal and describes a less careful act of disposal.

clean out the bin

Implies not just emptying but potentially sanitizing or removing debris from a container.

delete all files

Focuses on the outcome for digital storage rather than the container name.

clear recycler

Specifically refers to the recycling bin in some operating systems.

FAQs

How to use "empty trash" in a sentence?

You can use it as an instruction, such as "Please remember to "empty trash" bins before leaving", or as a description of an action: "He was seen "emptying trash" cans in the park."

What can I say instead of "empty trash"?

Depending on the context, you could use "clear the bin", "take out the garbage", or "purge the trash".

What is the difference between "empty trash" and "delete permanently"?

""Empty trash"" usually implies the final step of clearing a temporary storage area, while "delete permanently" can refer to bypassing the trash folder entirely.

Is "empty trash" used for software or physical bins?

It is used for both. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from janitorial duties to Mac OS X Finder menu commands like "secure empty trash".