Differences between pour out and wipe out
Pour out means to empty the contents of a container by tilting it, while wipe out means to clean or remove something completely.
Meanings and Definitions: pour out vs wipe out
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Pour out
- 1To express or reveal something, especially emotions or thoughts, freely and openly.
She began pouring out her fears about the future.
- 2To empty a liquid from a container.
Would you pour some water out for me, please?
Wipe out
- 1Make someone very tired.
Revising for the exam last night WIPED me OUT.
- 2Kill all of a population, make extinct.
A meteor crashing into the planet WIPED the dinosaurs OUT.
Usage Examples: pour out, wipe out in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
pour out
Example
I always pour out the old coffee before making a fresh pot.
Example
She pours out the milk into her cereal bowl every morning.
wipe out
Example
The storm wiped out the entire village.
Example
She wipes out her energy by working too hard.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pour out
empty out
To remove all the contents from a container or space.
Example
He emptied out the box of old clothes and donated them to charity.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Wipe out
To completely destroy or eliminate something.
Example
The new medicine was able to eradicate the virus from the patient's body.
To completely destroy or remove something so that nothing remains.
Example
The tornado obliterated the small town, leaving nothing but rubble and debris.
To completely destroy or defeat something or someone.
Example
The army was able to annihilate the enemy forces and win the battle.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “pour”
Phrasal Verbs with “out”
Differences in pour out vs wipe out: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: pour out or wipe out?
In daily conversation, people use pour out more often than wipe out. This is because pour out is used for more routine tasks such as pouring drinks or emptying containers. Wipe out is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about cleaning something thoroughly. So, while both phrases are used, pour out is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of pour out and wipe out
Pour out and wipe out are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of pour out and wipe out
The tone of pour out and wipe out can differ based on context. Pour out often carries a practical or casual tone when related to emptying containers or pouring drinks, while wipe out typically has a more serious tone, especially when referring to cleaning up a mess or removing something completely.
