empty shell
collocation in Englishmeaningsofemptyandshell
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withshell.
empty
adjective
uk/ˈemp.ti/us/ˈemp.ti/
not containing any things ...
See more atempty
shell
noun
uk/ʃel/us/ʃel/
the hard outer covering of something, especially nuts, eggs, and ...
See more atshell
(Definition ofemptyandshellfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofempty shell
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
In its most radical version this suggests that 'the legal' is anemptyshell.
From theCambridge English Corpus
He may have become a wanderer who can go wherever he pleases, but this freedom proves to be nothing more than anemptyshell.
From theCambridge English Corpus
This leaves unrecorded breakdowns unaccounted for, and also 'emptyshell' families if a fuller notion of marriage breakdown is employed.
From theCambridge English Corpus
In practice, nothing is known of 'emptyshell' families, and discussion must be restricted to willed absences.
From theCambridge English Corpus
All she loses is theemptyshellof marriage that remains.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
At the moment, it is no more than anemptyshelland will lead in many cases to benefits for some and injustices for others.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That is why we have thisemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I have to reiterate that this marvellous building must not just be seen from the outside and be like anemptyshellwithin.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Without enforcement, even the most grandiose legislation can be anemptyshelland.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The crossroads sign has begun to swing round, away from prosperity and towards the rusting metal andemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
If no additional funds are being set aside for this than are already available, then the whole initiative is nothing but anemptyshell.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
That, in practice, appears to be anemptyshell.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
Should we exclude cargo handling from the directive on ports, all that would be left of it would be anemptyshell.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
Given that background, tonight's main motion is anemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
But it gives the impression of being an absolutelyemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Thousands of employers will queue up to contract out and this piece of legislation will become anemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The problem with the statutory disciplinary procedure is that it is simply anemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That would make the directive anemptyshell.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
If they cannot do so, the marriage gradually become anemptyshell.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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Go to the definition ofempty
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See other collocations withshell