Milk/suck somebody/something dry Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use The phrase often represents draining resources or advantages, not just money. Uncontrolled tourism might milk the island's natural beauty dry. Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation Implies a selfish or harmful intention behind the action. Venture capitalists were accused of milking the startup dry. Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Nature It's an idiom, meaning it shouldn't be taken for its literal sense. The new manager is said to milk the budget dry in his previous company.