sweep up
phrasal verb
swept up; sweeping up; sweeps up
1
: 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?
2
: to remove (something, such as dust, dirt, etc.) from a surface by using a broom or brush
She swept up the broken glass.
3
: to pick up (someone or something) in one quick, continuous motion
She swept the baby up and carried her to the crib.
4
: to brush or pull (hair) away from the face
—usually used as be swept up
Her hair was swept up in a bun.
Examples of sweep up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
You can now be swept up in Halina Reijn's steamy new film starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson from home as Babygirl makes its debut on digital platforms.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
But others in the U.S. illegally have also been swept up in the operations, since Biden-era limits on immigration enforcement have been revoked.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2025
During the Zoom meeting, L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, said hundreds of workers had been in the area, shutting off broken pipes, sweeping up nails, clearing roadways, removing broken tree limbs and inspecting homes.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Migrants could also potentially be swept up in material support prosecutions.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweep up 
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Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
But others in the U.S. illegally have also been swept up in the operations, since Biden-era limits on immigration enforcement have been revoked.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2025
During the Zoom meeting, L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, said hundreds of workers had been in the area, shutting off broken pipes, sweeping up nails, clearing roadways, removing broken tree limbs and inspecting homes.
—Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Migrants could also potentially be swept up in material support prosecutions.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sweep up
Dictionary Entries Near sweep up
Cite this Entry
“Sweep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20up. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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