bleed (someone or something) dry

bleed (someone or something) dry

To take all of the resources that another person or thing has available. This phrase is often applied to money. Paying for my kids' education is just bleeding me dry. I hope I'll still be able to retire one day! Overhead costs are bleeding our business dry. We need to come up with a different way of doing things.See also: bleed, dry

bleed someone dry

or

bleed someone white

COMMON If someone or something bleeds, a person, organization, or country dry or bleeds them white, they take all of their money or resources from them. The first two interest payments had bled him dry. His realm had been bled dry by years of war with France. Note: In the past, doctors often treated patients by bleeding them, which involved removing some of their blood. See also: bleed, dry, someone

bleed someone dry (or white)

drain someone of all their money or resources. Since the late 17th century bleeding has been a metaphor for extorting money from someone. White refers to the physiological effect of losing blood. 1982 William Haggard The Mischief-Makers Her husband had been a wealthy man, the lady's solicitors sharp and ruthless, and her husband had been bled white to get rid of her. See also: bleed, dry, someone

bleed somebody ˈdry/ˈwhite

(disapproving) take away all somebody’s money: He used to be quite wealthy, but his children have bled him dry.See also: bleed, dry, somebody, white

bleed someone dry

verbSee bleed someone whiteSee also: bleed, dry, someone