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

The blast wave also shattered windows and other glass throughout much of the complex. Nurses, orderlies and other staff were sweeping up the glass and debris, and slowly putting things back together. —Nbc News, NBC news, 20 June 2025

While originally focused on those with criminal records, experts repeatedly warned that a deportation effort on this scale would sweep up undocumented immigrants without criminal records — including those who make America's farming and hospitalities industries run. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Her mom, Rina Ramirez, had been swept up that morning by immigration officials in a raid at Glenn Valley Foods, a meatpacking plant cross town in Omaha — the largest worksite enforcement operation in the state since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January. —Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 17 June 2025

The apparent mission in L.A. seems to be to assist President Trump in sweeping up people who were leading normal lives and harming no one. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025

Rhymes for sweep up

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