picked clean

USAGE SUMMARY

"picked clean" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to something being completely cleaned or removed, often in a thorough or precise manner. Example: After the meal, the plates were picked clean, not a single crumb left behind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A mile-long vertebrate picked clean.

The New Yorker

Consumers' pockets are being picked clean".

The New York Times

Too often, though, the gelato case has been picked clean.

The New York Times - Food

Quiktrip, a petrol station, was picked clean and burned.

The Economist

The top of the tower had also been picked clean.

The New York Times

A black panel, meanwhile, was picked clean within minutes.

The Guardian

The commons, he predicted, would inevitably be picked clean.

The New York Times - Magazine

His chest looked like a chicken breast picked clean of meat.

The New York Times - Health

The annals are replete with stories of great wine lists picked clean after word gets out.

The New York Times - Food

At the next camp, he found her remains picked clean by scavenging animals.

The New York Times - Books

If proved guilty, Mr. Sampson picked clean the bones of his neighbors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picked clean" to vividly describe situations where something has been completely emptied or stripped of its contents, leaving nothing of value behind. This adds a sense of thoroughness and finality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "picked clean" in overly formal or technical contexts where a more precise term would be more suitable. The phrase is generally informal and may not be appropriate for all types of writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked clean" functions as a verb phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a noun. It indicates that something has been thoroughly emptied or stripped. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Arts

15%

Food

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "picked clean" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase, functioning adjectivally to describe something thoroughly emptied or stripped. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for a range of contexts, particularly in news, arts, and food-related content. While alternatives like "completely emptied" or "stripped bare" exist, "picked clean" offers a vivid and concise way to convey the completeness of removal, contributing to its frequent use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely emptied

Focuses on the result of emptying something, similar to "picked clean".

totally depleted

Emphasizes the exhaustion of resources, akin to the thoroughness implied by "picked clean".

stripped bare

Highlights the act of removing everything, leaving nothing behind, like "picked clean".

cleaned out

Indicates a comprehensive removal of contents, similar in scope to "picked clean".

ransacked

Suggests a violent and thorough search resulting in everything being taken, which shares the exhaustive nature of "picked clean".

gutted

Implies the removal of essential parts, leaving something empty, much like "picked clean".

left bare

Focuses on the state of being empty after removal, similar to the result of being "picked clean".

cleared out

Indicates a complete removal of items or contents, aligning with the thoroughness of "picked clean".

swept clean

Suggests a thorough removal, often with the implication of tidiness, similar to "picked clean".

thoroughly scavenged

Emphasizes the act of searching and removing everything valuable, aligning with the exhaustive nature of "picked clean".

FAQs

How can I use "picked clean" in a sentence?

You can use "picked clean" to describe something that has been completely emptied or stripped of its contents. For example: "After the sale, the shelves were "picked clean"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "picked clean"?

Alternatives to "picked clean" include "completely emptied", "stripped bare", or "cleaned out", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "picked clean"?

Yes, "picked clean" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.

What is the difference between "picked clean" and "thoroughly scavenged"?

"Picked clean" generally implies a more complete and efficient removal, while "thoroughly scavenged" suggests a more laborious and perhaps less successful search. In some context, you can use "thoroughly scavenged" instead of "picked clean".