📒 to clean a room, surface, etc. using a broom (= a type of brush on a long handle)
- sweep (something) to sweep the floor
- Chimneys should be swept regularly.
- I don't have to sweep and mop every day.
📒 to remove something from a surface using a brush, your hand, etc.
- She swept the crumbs into the wastebasket.
- He swept the leaves up into a pile.
- She swept the clothes onto the floor and invited him to sit down.
📒 to move or push somebody/something suddenly and with a lot of force
- The little boat was swept out to sea.
- Their tent was swept away in the storm.
- She let herself be swept along by the crowd.
📒 to move suddenly and/or with force over an area or in a particular direction
- + adv./prep. Rain swept in through the broken windows.
- A fire swept through the store on Tuesday night.
- sweep something Strong winds regularly sweep the islands.
📒 to move quickly and/or smoothly, especially in a way that impresses or is intended to impress other people
- Without another word she swept out of the room.
- Two police motorcycles swept through the village.
- A pair of golden eagles swept across the sky.
📒 to move something, especially your hand or arm, quickly and smoothly in a particular direction
- He rushed to greet her, sweeping his arms wide.
- She swept a hand through her hair.
- The traveller swept a hand toward the endless expanse of water.
📒 to suddenly affect somebody strongly
- A wave of tiredness swept over her.
- Memories came sweeping back.
📒 to spread quickly
- + adv./prep. Rumours of his resignation swept through the company.
- sweep something the latest craze sweeping the nation
📒 to move over an area, especially in order to look for something
- + adv./prep. His eyes swept around the room.
- The car headlights swept across the front of the building.
- sweep something Searchlights swept the sky.
📒 to move, or move something, over a surface, touching it lightly
- Her dress swept the ground as she walked.
📒 to brush, comb, etc. your hair in a particular direction
- Her hair was swept back from her face.
📒 to form a long, smooth curve
- The hotel gardens sweep down to the beach.
📒 to win all the games in a series of games against another team or all the parts of a contest
- The Blue Jays have a chance to sweep the series.
- New Jersey swept Detroit last season.
📒 to win all the prizes, etc. in a competition
📒 to make somebody fall suddenly and deeply in love with you
- She’s waiting for some hero to come and sweep her off her feet.
📒 to win an election by a large number of votes; to make somebody win an election with a large number of votes
📒 to win a contest easily
- Macron swept to victory in 2017.
📒 to try to stop people from finding out about something wrong, illegal, embarrassing, etc. that has happened or that you have done
- An earlier report, implicating the government, had been conveniently swept under the carpet.