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

Americans' communications sometimes get swept up in those searches, too, according to a bipartisan group of lawmakers. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 June 2026

But some members of both parties warn that Section 702 can sweep up data on Americans who are in contact with foreigners without a search warrant, prompting calls for for reforms to safeguard civil liberties. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Four years later he was swept up in a mass police raid that targeted anti-apartheid activists, though he was ultimately acquitted. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026

Wall Street held steadier Monday and recovered some of its sell-off from last week, as stocks swept up in the artificial intelligence boom bounced back. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Rhymes for sweep up

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