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 county owns the old airport, which was commandeered by DeSantis to house immigration detainees swept up under the Trump administration’s effort to rid the country of undocumented migrants.
—
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Newsweek has reported on dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
These are parents who may lose health care coverage, immigrants afraid of being swept up in a raid, families who count on assistance programs to feed their children.
—State Sen. Md Rahman, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Abel Orozco, an undocumented immigrant, was swept up in an arrest about six months ago when ICE agents without a warrant went into his backyard and onto his porch, according to the National Immigrant Justice Center.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Newsweek has reported on dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
These are parents who may lose health care coverage, immigrants afraid of being swept up in a raid, families who count on assistance programs to feed their children.
—State Sen. Md Rahman, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Abel Orozco, an undocumented immigrant, was swept up in an arrest about six months ago when ICE agents without a warrant went into his backyard and onto his porch, according to the National Immigrant Justice Center.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 17 July 2025
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 4 Aug. 2025.
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