come away empty-handed

come away empty-handed

To return from an experience or event without having gained anything. I worked so hard to prepare for the competition, and I still came away empty-handed, thanks to another fourth-place finish. Don't come away from the dessert table empty-handed—bring me a piece of cake!
See also: away, come
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

come away empty-handed

to return without anything. All right, go gambling. Don't come away empty-handed, though. Go to the bank and ask for the loan again. This time don't come away empty-handed.
See also: away, come
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • go away empty-handed
  • on an empty stomach
  • an empty nester
  • empty nester
  • empty-nesters
  • empty calories
  • have a forked tongue
  • look in
  • jam tomorrow
  • kafooster
References in periodicals archive
He has competed in 21 Scottish veteran championships over the years and has never come away empty-handed.