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dry out

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dry out

 

1. Lit. to become dry. The clothes finally dried out in the wet weather.

2. Fig. to allow alcohol and the effects of drunkenness, especially if habitual, to dissipate from one's body. He required about three days to dry out completely. He dried out in three days.

See also: dry, out

dry someone out

Fig. to cause someone to become sober; to cause someone to stop drinking alcohol to excess. If the doctor at the clinic can't dry him out, no one can. The hospital will dry out Mary and start treatment.

See also: dry, out

dry something out

to make something become dry. Dry this out and put it on immediately. Dry out your jacket in the clothes dryer.

See also: dry, out

dry out

Undergo a cure for alcoholism, as in After years of constant drinking, he realized that he needed to dry out. [1960s]

See also: dry, out

dry out

v.

1. To become free of liquid or moisture: If you sit in the sun, your wet hair will dry out.

2. To remove the moisture from something: Dry out your clothes on the line. We'll dry the rags out on the lawn.

3. Slang To become sober: I need a few hours to dry out before I go out again.

4. Slang To make someone become sober: The crisp morning air has dried me out a bit.

5. Slang To undergo a cure for alcoholism: My uncle went to a clinic to dry out.

See also: dry, out