Swept Sweep Move Win Swiːp Suddenly Floor Broom

• to sweep the floor
• chimneys should be swept regularly.
• i don't have to sweep and mop every day.
• don't just stand around—grab a broom and sweep up.

sweep

Verb Forms

1. to clean a room, surface, etc. using a broom (= a type of brush on a long handle)
• to sweep the floor
• Chimneys should be swept regularly.
• I don't have to sweep and mop every day.
• Don't just stand around—grab a broom and sweep up.
• The showroom had been emptied and swept clean.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. to move suddenly and/or with force over an area or in a particular direction
• Rain swept in through the broken windows.
• A fire swept through the store on Tuesday night.
• Strong winds regularly sweep the islands.
5. 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.
• She swept past the photographers without a glance.
• He swept into the lead with an almost perfect performance.
6. to move something, especially your hand or arm, quickly and smoothly in a particular direction
• He rushed to greet her, sweeping his arms wide.

Extra Examples

• She swept a hand through her hair.
• The traveller swept a hand toward the endless expanse of water.
7. to suddenly affect somebody strongly
• A wave of tiredness swept over her.
• Memories came sweeping back.
8. to spread quickly
• Rumours of his resignation swept through the company.
• the latest craze sweeping the nation
9. to move over an area, especially in order to look for something
• His eyes swept around the room.
• The car headlights swept across the front of the building.
• Searchlights swept the sky.
• She swept the crowd with her binoculars.
10. to move, or move something, over a surface, touching it lightly
• Her dress swept the ground as she walked.
11. to brush, comb, etc. your hair in a particular direction
• Her hair was swept back from her face.
12. to form a long, smooth curve
• The hotel gardens sweep down to the beach.
13. 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.
14. to win all the prizes, etc. in a competition
15. 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.
16. to win an election by a large number of votes; to make somebody win an election with a large number of votes
17. to win a contest easily
• Macron swept to victory in 2017.
18. 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.

Word Origin

• Old English swāpan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German schweifen ‘sweep in a curve’.