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.

Adjective

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