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
Severe Guadalupe River Flood Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas.
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Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The group’s mostly lower Thursday, getting swept up in the rotation out of some leaders and into underperformers.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Still, a number of migrants with pending asylum claims have been swept up in the immigration crackdown around the country and are now in detention awaiting court hearings.
—Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2025
Some of the All-Stars representing their teams and leagues could get swept up in the trade winds.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The group’s mostly lower Thursday, getting swept up in the rotation out of some leaders and into underperformers.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 July 2025
Still, a number of migrants with pending asylum claims have been swept up in the immigration crackdown around the country and are now in detention awaiting court hearings.
—Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2025
Some of the All-Stars representing their teams and leagues could get swept up in the trade winds.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
Cite this Entry
“Sweep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20up. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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