wipe out
The hurricane wiped out the entire coastal town.
The hurricane completely destroyed the entire coastal town.
To destroy or eliminate something completely
The new policy wiped out the company's old procedures.
The new policy completely replaced the company's old procedures.
He wiped out his savings on a bad investment.
He lost all his savings due to a bad investment.
Can be used literally (physical destruction) or figuratively (financial, emotional, or systematic elimination).
To defeat someone completely in a competition or contest
The champion wiped out all opponents in the tournament.
The champion defeated all opponents in the tournament.
Common in sports and competitive contexts.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Figurative Use
Be mindful of context—'wipe out' can mean physical destruction or metaphorical elimination.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Use 'wipe out' for complete destruction or elimination, not partial damage.
Word Origin
From 'wipe' (to clean or remove) + 'out' (completely). The phrase emerged in the mid-20th century.
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally (e.g., natural disasters) and figuratively (e.g., financial losses).