“Flesh out” and “flush out” are two phrases that sound similar but have different meanings and applications. “Flesh out” refers to expanding or giving more detail to something, such as a plan or idea. “Flush out” means to force someone or something out of hiding or to clean something, typically with water. This lesson will define each phrase and provide examples to illustrate their proper usage.
Flesh out
Definition:
“Flesh out” means to expand or give substance to something, such as a plan, idea, or concept.
Examples of use:
He promised to flesh out the details of his reorganization next week.
The writer needed to flesh out the characters in her novel to make them more relatable.
The team worked together to flesh out the proposal before the presentation.
Flush out
Definition:
“Flush out” means to force someone or something out of hiding, or to clean something, usually with water.
Examples of use:
The police fired tear gas to flush out the criminals hiding in the building.
He used green tea and a lot of water to flush out his system.
The spring rains helped flush out the pollutants from the river.
“Flesh out” is used when referring to expanding or detailing an idea or plan, while “flush out” involves forcing something out of hiding or cleaning something with water. Understanding these phrases and their correct usage will enhance your communication and clarity in various contexts.
