english
                    
                    
                    
                        1
                           general:: 
                           Phrase(s): go away empty-handed  Fig. to depart with nothing.  •  I hate for you to go away empty-handed, but I cannot afford to contribute any money.  •  They came hoping for some food, but they had to go away empty-handed.
                           
                           
                           
                           
                        
    
                       
                    
                        
                        
                        
                    
 
                    
                        McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs