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

Ask for the length left on the top to sweep up and back for the body. — Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

The trailer suggests that she’s been swept up in Hollywood’s decadence, led astray following her breakthrough role. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026

The national team did not take home the trophy, but closing out the tournament ahead of dozens of countries is certainly commendable, and football fans throughout the United Kingdom were swept up in both the excitement and eventual heartbreak. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Holding it all together is the irrepressible Rodri, sweeping up loose balls and snuffing out counter-attacks with a positional awareness few central midfielders match. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Rhymes for sweep up

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