“Flush Out” or “Flesh Out”: Which Is Correct?

There are a lot of confusing grammar rules out there. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to keep up. That’s especially true of phrases that sound similar but have very different meanings. Take, for instance, flush out vs. flesh out. 

Both flush out and flesh out are common idiomatic phrases that are easy to mix up. Before you make any drastic changes—or flush out your old grammar habits—let’s flesh out the meaning of flush out vs. flesh out. Confused? These tips will help.

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What does flush out mean?

Flush out means to force something out of a small place, most typically used when we talk about cleaning. Imagine forcing something through a container, like how water travels when you flush a toilet. But besides talking about human waste in the restroom, flush out is commonly used surrounding crime—as in, flushing out the enemy. This everyday idiom originates from bird hunting, where another animal can get birds to come out of hiding. But you likely won’t be discussing hunting when you want to use the phrase.

Here are just a few examples of how you can use it properly:

• The NYPD is looking to flush out thieves who pickpocket tourists on the subway.
• Park rangers are trying to flush out bears from the area so people can camp safely.
• I can tell my cousin is lying, so I want to flush out his untruths to figure out what’s really going on.

What does flesh out mean?

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Flesh out means “to expand on an idea, provide more of an explanation or make something more complete.” You may need to flesh out some last-minute details, your outline or your project. 

Think about using this phrase when you need to add a little more substance to an idea or assignment. 

There are a handful of ways you can use it in a sentence, but here are a few examples:

• Let’s flesh out this marketing strategy in our next meeting.
• The musician fleshed out his acoustic tracks by adding some bass and drums.
• In her speech, she fleshed out her idea for a new health care policy.

Common synonyms for flush out and flesh out

Instead of saying you want to flush something out, you could use one of the synonyms below to get the same point across.

Synonyms for flush out

• Clear something away 
• Clear something out
• Make a clean sweep
• Bring something to light

If you’re looking for a word or phrase that gets across the idea of fleshing something out, you could use any term that indicates growth or expansion, including the examples below.

Synonyms for flesh out

• Expand
• Enlarge
• Expound upon
• Build on
• Develop 
• Supplement
• Add to

Flush Out vs. Flesh Out: Which One Should You Use?

If you’re struggling to keep these phrases straight, you’re not alone. A lot of people confuse the pair. Thankfully, there’s a handy trick for remembering the difference between flush out and flesh out. Start by asking yourself: Am I adding or subtracting?

• Adding something: Use flesh out when you want to expand on something. Flesh out is like adding flesh to a skeleton or making something fuller.
• Subtracting something: Use flush out when you want to remove something. Remember, flush out is like flushing a toilet to get rid of the waste.

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Sources:

• Merriam-Webster: “Flush Out”
• Merriam-Webster: “Flesh Out”

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