根こそぎ
Meanings
uprooting; pulling up by the roots
Literal or figurative removal of something from its foundation, like pulling a plant out with its roots intact.
The typhoon uprooted the large tree.
Pull out the weeds, roots and all.
Used in the pattern 〜にする to mean completely eliminating something undesirable, such as corruption or pests.
We need to root out corruption completely.
This medicine can eradicate cockroaches entirely.
completely; entirely; thoroughly
Adverbial use meaning 'all of it' or 'without leaving anything behind', often with negative outcomes like theft or destruction.
The burglar stole everything from the house.
The fire burned all the documents completely.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を根こそぎ抜くto pull something up by the roots
The tree in the garden was uprooted entirely by the strong wind.
- 〈事〉を根こそぎにするto completely eradicate something (e.g. crime, weeds)
The police aim to completely eradicate organized crime.
- 〈物〉を根こそぎ奪うto take away everything, leaving nothing behind
The burglar stole absolutely everything from the house.