Derisive term for a situation where a chronic moocher tries to temptingly persuade you to "just give him one very last loan" supposedly in order to enable him to accomplish whatever he needs to do in order to become able to finally pay you back all that he owes you --- and possibly a bit extra as a gratitude gesture --- in one lump sum. The idea is that he still does not even possess a real "carrot" --- i.e., any actual cold hard cash --- to offer you, but he is merely offering you the empty-talk promise of a "whole bag or carrots" --- i.e., a large one-time payment-amount that is far greater than any of the individual loans you have given him so far -- if you continue to bust your a** on his behalf. And of course, this assertion, too, is itself usually just another worthless promise, similar to all the other times when said handout-seeker has come bawling and blubbering to you for financial assistance in the past.
The local preacher tried to tell me that if I toil my butt off and live a life of strict propriety and chastity, **maybe** I will be given great rewards in Heaven. Sounds like a classic "empty carrots-bag on a stick" promise to me --- why should I suffer the agonies of an extra-hard and boring existence, especially when I am not even assured of any recognition or benefits for my efforts, anyway???
by QuacksO December 8, 2018

by lenlenlenlenlen January 23, 2025

by Ricky_cam42069 December 12, 2022

The Empty Child Is A Child With A Gas Mask Fused To His Face, Who Constantly Asks For His Mummy, The Origin Of The Gas Mask Plague Of WW2 And The Main Antagonist Of The Doctor Who Series 1 Two Parter, The Empty Child And The Doctor Dances.
by I Have W2S Disorder October 31, 2021

An accurate term describing how uneducated loud-mouths sound when they speak about topics they know nothing about. People often labeled as such will cry racism, rather than believe they could possibly be both inarticulate and incorrect. Ant. - woke, smart
That Congresswoman is such an empty barrel; always talking like her clueless ass actually knows something.
by Yankees 2nd Baseman October 22, 2017

The anxious paralysis that strikes when a student or professional stares at a blank screen, unsure how to begin a task—especially when AI tools are available but ethical use is unclear. Often triggered by perfectionism, decision fatigue, or fear of misusing technology.
He stared at the Canvas assignment page for 20 minutes, then Googled ‘how to start a paper.’ Classic Empty Screen Syndrome.
by Briton Phillip October 1, 2025
