sweep
10 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of SWEEP
1
a
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to remove (something, such as dust or dirt) from a surface with a broom or brush or with a quick movement of your hand, fingers, etc.
-
He swept the dirt off the driveway.
-
He swept the crumbs from the table.
b
:
to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush
—
see also sweep out (below), sweep up (below)
[+ object]
-
She swept the floor.
-
I need to sweep the kitchen.
-
Are you finished sweeping the porch?
[no object]
-
Have you swept yet?
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
[no object]
:
to move or pass quickly, forcefully, or smoothly
— often used figuratively
-
A storm swept across the plains.
-
Fires swept through the forest.
-
She swept to victory on a wave of popularity.
b
[no object]
:
to move or walk in a smooth, quick, and impressive way
-
She proudly swept into the room.
-
The limo swept up to the door.
c
[+ object]
:
to push or move (something) quickly or forcefully
-
He swept the curtains aside.
-
She swept the books off the desk.
d
[+ object]
:
to push, carry, or lift (someone or something) with great force
— often used figuratively
-
The debris was swept [=carried] out to sea by the tide.
-
She was swept toward the door by the crowd.
-
He swept her into his arms.
-
We were swept along/away by her enthusiasm.
-
The party was swept into power in the last election.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
of a feeling or emotion
:
to be felt suddenly
-
Fear swept over/through her. [=she suddenly felt afraid]
-
A feeling of relief swept over him.
4
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to move (your hand, arm, etc.) in a wide, curving motion
-
He swept his arm across the table.
5
[+ object]
:
to pass over (all of an area or place) in a continuous motion
-
The teacher's gaze swept the classroom.
-
A searchlight swept the area.
-
Strong winds sweep the mountainside.
6
[+ object]
:
to become very popular or common suddenly in (a particular place)
-
It's the latest craze sweeping the nation.
7
[+ object]
:
to win everything that can be won in (something, such as an election) in an easy or impressive way
-
The opposition party swept the election.
8
[+ object]
US, sports
:
to win all of the games in a series of games against another team
-
They swept their rivals in a three-game series.
-
They swept the series/doubleheader.
-
They were swept in the play-offs last year.
9
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object]
:
to brush or pull (your hair) away from your face
-
She swept her hair up/back and clipped it in place.
10
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[no object]
:
to form a long, smooth curve
-
The property sweeps down to the water's edge.
sweep aside
[phrasal verb]
sweep (something) aside
or
sweep aside (something)
:
to treat (something) as not important
:
to ignore (something)
-
He swept aside [=brushed aside] questions about his son's arrest.
-
He swept aside [=dismissed] their objections, refusing to change his plans.
sweep away
[phrasal verb]
sweep (something) away
or
sweep away (something)
:
to destroy or remove (something) completely
-
Floods swept away several houses.
-
an ancient civilization swept away by war
-
His performance today swept away any doubts about his ability to play.
sweep out
[phrasal verb]
sweep (something) out
or
sweep out (something)
:
to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) by using a broom or brush
-
Please sweep out the room when you're done working.
sweep (someone) off his/her feet
:
to make (someone) suddenly become very attracted to you in a romantic way
-
She says that he swept her off her feet, and they were married six months later.
sweep (something) under the rug
(US) or chiefly British sweep (something) under the carpet
:
to hide (something that is illegal, embarrassing, or wrong)
-
He tried to sweep his past mistakes under the rug.
-
This is not something we can just sweep under the rug.
sweep the board
chiefly British
:
to win everything that can be won in a competition
-
She swept the board at the awards ceremony.
sweep up
[phrasal verb]
1
sweep up
or
sweep (something) up
or
sweep up (something)
a
:
to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) by using a broom or brush
-
When I was sweeping up, I found an earring that I had lost.
-
Can you please sweep up the porch?
b
sweep (something) up
or
sweep up (something)
:
to remove (something, such as dust, dirt, etc.) from a surface by using a broom or brush
-
She swept up the broken glass.
2
sweep (someone or something) up
or
sweep up (someone or something)
:
to pick up (someone or something) in one quick, continuous motion
-
She swept the baby up and carried her to the crib.
2
sweep
/ˈswiːp/
noun
plural
sweeps
2
sweep
/ˈswiːp/
noun
plural
sweeps
Britannica Dictionary definition of SWEEP
1
[count]
:
an act of cleaning an area with a broom or brush
— usually singular
-
He gave the floor/room a quick sweep. [=he swept the floor/room quickly]
2
[count]
:
a long, smooth movement often in a wide curve
— often + of
-
He brushed the crumbs away with a sweep of his hand.
3
[count]
:
a large area of land often forming a wide curve
— + of
— usually singular
-
the sweep of the coastline
4
[singular]
:
everything that is included in something
:
the full range or extent of something
— + of
-
The book attempts to cover the whole sweep of American history.
5
[count]
:
a search for something over a large area
— usually singular
-
The search party made a sweep of the forest.
6
[count]
US, sports
:
an occurrence in which one team wins all the games in a series of games against another team
—
see also clean sweep at 1clean
-
They won the series in a sweep.
-
a World Series sweep
7
sweeps
[plural]
US
:
a time during the year when television stations try to see which shows are the most popular in order to decide how much can be charged for advertising
-
The network is trying to increase ratings during (the) sweeps.
-
sweeps week/month
8
