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 broad eligibility pool caused the funds to be swept up in days in its first year, causing some applicants to dismiss its value the following year.
—
Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
To reduce the risk posed by rock salt, avoid using large amounts of the mixture, and sweep up any excess sand and salt once the ice melts.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
The number of tries for the quadruple Salchow, which is known for how skaters sweep up one leg in front of the other on take-off, rose from two in 2006 to 13 in 2022.
—Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The concerns are not just the target of the individual search, but all of the sources who might be swept up in that search.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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Amancai Biraben, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
To reduce the risk posed by rock salt, avoid using large amounts of the mixture, and sweep up any excess sand and salt once the ice melts.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
The number of tries for the quadruple Salchow, which is known for how skaters sweep up one leg in front of the other on take-off, rose from two in 2006 to 13 in 2022.
—Robert Samuels, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
The concerns are not just the target of the individual search, but all of the sources who might be swept up in that search.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
Cite this Entry
“Sweep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweep%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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