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

But following the financial crisis, single-family homes were swept up by large entities. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025

In their models, planets swept up most of the material floating around the early solar system long before 200 million years had elapsed. —Francis Nimmo, JSTOR Daily, 9 Jan. 2025

Small dust grains and rocks that are in the ice and on the comet's surface are swept up and travel along for the ride. —Darryl Seligman, Space.com, 7 Jan. 2025

If you've been swept up in illusions or false promises, this could lead to a deep sense of doubt. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025