1
general::
1. See CLEAN UP, def. 1. 2. Empty something of its contents, leave bare. For example, The crows cleaned out the whole field of corn, or At the shop's first sale the customers cleaned out the entire stock of shoes. [Mid-1800s] 3. Deprive of money or other material resources. This usage originated in gambling, where it signified losing one's last stake. Charles Dickens had it in Oliver Twist (1838): "He has cleaned me out, but I can go and earn some more." [Early 1800s] 4. Drive out by force, as in The new CEO tried to get away with cleaning out all employees over the age of 60. [Mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): clean something out
to remove dirt or unwanted things from the inside of something. • Someone has to clean the garage out. • I’ll clean out my closet tonight., Phrase(s): clean out (of something)
Go to fresh out (of something)., Phrase(s): clean someone out
1. Fig. to get or use up all of someone’s money. • The bill for supper cleaned me out, and we couldn’t go to the flick. • The robbers cleaned out all the bank’s cash. 2. Fig. to empty someone’s bowels. • That medicine I took really cleaned me out. • Whatever was in that stew cleaned out every kid in the entire scout camp.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs