hollow out

• 指挖空某物的内部，使其变空或呈凹陷状；也可比喻逐渐削弱、掏空某事物。

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of removing the inner part of something, making it empty or concave.

不可数 · 及物 · 短语动词，可分

1. Remove interior materialformal

   To remove the inside part of something, making it empty.

   挖空

   • The children hollowed out the pumpkin to make a lantern.
   • He hollowed out a log to create a canoe.
   • The sculptor hollowed out the stone to form a bowl.

   同义词carve outdig outemptyexcavategougerecessscoop out

   反义词fillpacksolidifystuff

2. Weaken or depleteinformal

   To gradually remove the essential or valuable parts of something, leaving it weak or empty.

   掏空

   • The scandal hollowed out the company's reputation.
   • Years of neglect hollowed out the old building's structure.
   • The crisis hollowed out the community's spirit.

   同义词depletedrainerodeexhaustgutsapundermineweaken

   反义词bolsterfortifyreinforcestrengthen

基本动词hollow