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                           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