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

Even onlookers walking by were swept up in the moment. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

Additionally, debris such as logs, rocks, and other materials can be swept up by the waves, turning a seemingly peaceful beach into a dangerous landscape. —Katu Staff, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024

As stock markets tumbled, many observers in India and elsewhere worried that robust Chinese capital would sweep up distressed companies. —Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024

Deportations were high during the first Trump administration, at times sweeping up people who were never charged with or convicted of any crimes, Soberalski said. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024