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
Culturally, Mexico has been swept up in the K-wave — which refers to the global craze for South Korean pop culture.
—
Juliana Kim, NPR, 17 June 2026
Indeed, many of Tsietsi’s 12 siblings, and even his parents, Nomkhitha and Joseph, got swept up in the ensuing political violence in which hundreds of protesters died and thousands more were injured.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
When the American Bandstand host was swept up in a radio payola scandal in 1959 and called to testify before Congress, Shalit dropped him.
—Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Americans' communications sometimes get swept up in those searches, too, according to a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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Juliana Kim, NPR, 17 June 2026
Indeed, many of Tsietsi’s 12 siblings, and even his parents, Nomkhitha and Joseph, got swept up in the ensuing political violence in which hundreds of protesters died and thousands more were injured.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
When the American Bandstand host was swept up in a radio payola scandal in 1959 and called to testify before Congress, Shalit dropped him.
—Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Americans' communications sometimes get swept up in those searches, too, according to a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 June 2026
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 21 Jun. 2026.
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