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
There’s a lot of fear in the air – fear of speaking out, fear of being swept up in ICE raids, etc.
—
Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
Per photos, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden also appears to have been swept up in the East Wing demolition.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Their bodies hadn’t been swept up yet.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
The cast of Wicked must have felt swept up in a tornado.
—Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
Per photos, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden also appears to have been swept up in the East Wing demolition.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Their bodies hadn’t been swept up yet.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
The cast of Wicked must have felt swept up in a tornado.
—Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 2025.
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