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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!