Weed out
verb
To remove unwanted or unnecessary things or people from a group.
The first round of the competition is really just a way of weeding out the less skilled participants.
Often appears as...
- weed out the weak
- weed out the useless
verb
To remove plants that are considered unwanted or undesirable from an area where other plants are grown.
The farmer spends a lot of time weeding out the invasive species from the field.
Often appears as...
- weed out the garden
- weed out the field
verb
To remove unwanted or unnecessary things or people from a group.
The first round of the competition is really just a way of weeding out the less skilled participants.
Often appears as...
- weed out the weak
- weed out the useless
verb
To remove plants that are considered unwanted or undesirable from an area where other plants are grown.
The farmer spends a lot of time weeding out the invasive species from the field.
Often appears as...
- weed out the garden
- weed out the field
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe the exclusion of unsuitable elements from a situation or group.
The company's tough interview process is designed to weed out unqualified applicants.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always involve physically removing something; it can be abstract, like ideas.
The brainstorming session helped to weed out the less effective solutions.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
May imply that what is being removed is undesirable or not meeting certain standards.
The new regulation helped to weed out corruption in the industry.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe the exclusion of unsuitable elements from a situation or group.
The company's tough interview process is designed to weed out unqualified applicants.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always involve physically removing something; it can be abstract, like ideas.
The brainstorming session helped to weed out the less effective solutions.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
May imply that what is being removed is undesirable or not meeting certain standards.
The new regulation helped to weed out corruption in the industry.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to describe the exclusion of unsuitable elements from a situation or group.
The company's tough interview process is designed to weed out unqualified applicants.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
Doesn't always involve physically removing something; it can be abstract, like ideas.
The brainstorming session helped to weed out the less effective solutions.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
May imply that what is being removed is undesirable or not meeting certain standards.
The new regulation helped to weed out corruption in the industry.
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