51Թ

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View synonyms for

empty-handed

[emp-tee-han-did]

adjective

  1. having nothing in the hands, as in doing no work.

    While we were carrying out the luggage, he stood by empty-handed.

  2. having gained nothing.

    to return from a quest empty-handed.

  3. bringing no gift, donation, etc..

    They came to the birthday party empty-handed.



empty-handed

adjective

  1. carrying nothing in the hands

  2. having gained nothing

    they returned from the negotiations empty-handed

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of empty-handed1

First recorded in 1605–15
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Schwarzenegger made a pilgrimage to Washington to cadge more money from the government, but came home empty-handed.

From

"I am empty-handed like God created me," said Hani Abed outside the centre near Netzarim on Thursday.

From

People described similar scenes at the newly opened GHF distribution site in central Gaza, with a number telling the BBC they had come away empty-handed.

From

Nihaya says she has come back from Jordan "empty-handed"; even her son's medical records were in the bags that the Israeli security forces took away, she says.

From

I don't think this Arsenal squad needs an overhaul either, but the question always seems to come back to what they need to do to win trophies after finishing empty-handed again.

From

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