sweep up

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

Seconds later, more than a dozen kids are swept up in a furious game of their own — with a plastic Coke bottle. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

On Saturday, Shakira performed her second consecutive night at the SAP Center in San Jose, amping up the World Cup fever even more in a region that is already been swept up in a soccer frenzy due to matches being held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

The vacuum effortlessly sweeps up dust, dirt, crumbs, debris, and pet hair from your carpet and floors thanks to its powerful suction capabilities, self-cleaning brushroll, and self-emptying base. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

These skills are useful for any sign, to be sure, but especially for a Fish who is easily swept up in their feelings. — Maressa Brown, Parents, 18 June 2026

Rhymes for sweep up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup