take out the trash
The phrase "take out the trash" can be used both literally, referring to waste disposal, and figuratively, referring to the removal of undesirable elements or making low-profile announcements.
Definition
A2Household
To carry garbage from inside a home or workplace to an outside trash can or bin.
Example
- Don't forget to take out the trash before you go to bed.
B2Figurative
(idiomatic)To forcefully remove undesirable people or elements from a place.
Example
- The new manager decided to take out the trash and fired the employees who were not performing well.
C1Media
(idiomatic)To announce something at a time when it is likely to receive minimal attention from the media.
Example
- The company decided to take out the trash by releasing the controversial news late on Friday evening.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "take out the trash":
take outclean outthrow outtoss outclean houseclear outthrow awaychuck outdispose ofsweep outtake it out ofdump outpack outclean upput outshovel outgutter outkick outclean up afterput awaytake a shitthresh outget outpiece of trash