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

Suddenly, the quintessential family is swept up in a murder investigation — and everyone is a suspect. —Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2024

The drama, with its explicit love scenes, swept up a packed theater at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday night, earning a 9-minute standing ovation. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024

After a dalliance with a man, she gets swept up in a scheme involving reselling luxury handbags. —The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

Artists, playwrights, directors and others are also being swept up and given long prison sentences. —Jackie Northam, NPR, 2 Sep. 2024