empty-handed

/'empti'hændid/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
empty-handed

He returned from the market empty-handed.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Carrying nothing in the hands: Having nothing physically in one's hands or possession when arriving or departing.
    • Having acquired or gained nothing: Failing to obtain or achieve what one sought; leaving without a desired result, benefit, or prize.
Usage

The adjective "empty-handed" describes a state of having nothing to show for one's efforts or journey. It is typically used after verbs like return, come back, leave, or arrive. It can refer to a literal lack of physical items or a figurative lack of success or gain.

Examples

  • Literal (Nothing in hands):

    • The children went out to collect shells but came back empty-handed.
    • Visitors are not allowed to bring bags inside, so many arrived empty-handed.

  • Figurative (No success/gain):

    • The sales team worked hard all day but returned empty-handed, without a single new contract.
    • He entered the competition hoping for a prize but left empty-handed.
Advanced Usage
  • "to go away empty-handed": To depart without having received or obtained anything one wanted.
    • Despite the promises, many investors went away empty-handed.
  • "to send someone away empty-handed": To cause someone to leave without giving them what they wanted or expected.
    • The charity could not help everyone and had to send some families away empty-handed.
Variants and Related Words
  • Empty-handedly (adverb): In an empty-handed manner.
    • He wandered empty-handedly through the market, just looking.
Synonyms
  • Unsuccessful: Not achieving a desired goal.
  • Without result: With no outcome or achievement.
  • Bare-handed: With hands empty (can be literal, but does not imply failure to gain).
Antonyms
  • Successful: Accomplishing an aim or purpose.
  • Laden: Heavily loaded or weighed down.
  • With bounty: With a large amount of something gained.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • To come up empty-handed: This phrasal expression is very similar in meaning, emphasizing the result of a search or attempt.
    • They searched the entire area for clues but came up empty-handed.
empty-handed

He returned from the market empty-handed.

Adjective
  1. carrying nothing in the hands
  2. having acquired or gained nothing
    • the returned from the negotiations empty-handed

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ tương tự