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
While serious criminals and some gang members have been detained, Newsweek has also documented instances of nonviolent immigrants being swept up in the immigration raids.
—
Billal Rahman
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
That’s the real reason for STK’s growing discount: Even though it was swept up in the tech rally, its lower payouts aren’t enough for many income investors, now that there’s more competition, plus dividends that nearly double STK’s 6% yield, among tech CEFs.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But the people who get swept up by the quirkiness of the Texas Capitol often end up making a pretty big investment of another kind in it.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The pair sat in Hayward’s president box, swept up in the pandemonium as hometown favorite Moore upset Washington State’s Gerry Lindgren, a world record holder and then winner of a record 10 NCAA titles, by two feet in the 10,000.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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.
Billal Rahman
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
That’s the real reason for STK’s growing discount: Even though it was swept up in the tech rally, its lower payouts aren’t enough for many income investors, now that there’s more competition, plus dividends that nearly double STK’s 6% yield, among tech CEFs.
—Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
But the people who get swept up by the quirkiness of the Texas Capitol often end up making a pretty big investment of another kind in it.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The pair sat in Hayward’s president box, swept up in the pandemonium as hometown favorite Moore upset Washington State’s Gerry Lindgren, a world record holder and then winner of a record 10 NCAA titles, by two feet in the 10,000.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 29 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 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share