Milk/suck somebody/something dry
verb
To use up all of someone's or something's resources.
The big corporation moved into the small town and immediately started to milk the local resources dry
Often appears as...
- milk someone dry
- milk the situation dry
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To take advantage of a person or situation, usually financially, to the point where they have nothing left to give.
He was such a freeloader, always trying to milk his friends dry
Often appears as...
- milk him dry
- milk her dry
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To use up all of someone's or something's resources.
The big corporation moved into the small town and immediately started to milk the local resources dry
Often appears as...
- milk someone dry
- milk the situation dry
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To take advantage of a person or situation, usually financially, to the point where they have nothing left to give.
He was such a freeloader, always trying to milk his friends dry
Often appears as...
- milk him dry
- milk her dry
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often represents draining resources or advantages, not just money.
Uncontrolled tourism might milk the island's natural beauty dry.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Implies a selfish or harmful intention behind the action.
Venture capitalists were accused of milking the startup dry.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Nature
It's an idiom, meaning it shouldn't be taken for its literal sense.
The new manager is said to milk the budget dry in his previous company.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often represents draining resources or advantages, not just money.
Uncontrolled tourism might milk the island's natural beauty dry.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Implies a selfish or harmful intention behind the action.
Venture capitalists were accused of milking the startup dry.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Nature
It's an idiom, meaning it shouldn't be taken for its literal sense.
The new manager is said to milk the budget dry in his previous company.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase often represents draining resources or advantages, not just money.
Uncontrolled tourism might milk the island's natural beauty dry.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Implies a selfish or harmful intention behind the action.
Venture capitalists were accused of milking the startup dry.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Nature
It's an idiom, meaning it shouldn't be taken for its literal sense.
The new manager is said to milk the budget dry in his previous company.
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