sweep
sweep — verb
1. to remove dust and loose dirt from a floor or other flat area with a long-handle
to remove dust and loose dirt from a floor or other flat area with a long-handled brush called a broom, gathering the unwanted material into a pile for disposal
Esteban sweeps the kitchen floor every morning before school starts.
sweep + noun (surface) — daily routine
Ingrid swept the dust into a pile and then carried it to the bin outside.
Putri swept the fallen leaves off the front steps after the storm passed.
The garage floor was so dusty that Minho had to sweep it twice.
Élise picked up the broom and began to sweep the old workshop clean.
- spill
opposite action — to cause dirt or liquid to scatter rather than collect
文法句型
sweep + noun (floor / room / surface)
sweep + noun + adjective (sweep + object + clean)
sweep + adverb of direction
sweep + noun + off / from + noun
用法筆記
The resultative pattern 'sweep something clean' is common in everyday speech. For a specific dirt substance, use 'sweep + object + off/from + surface'.
常見錯誤
2. to move in a fast, smooth, and confident way, especially through or across a spa
to move in a fast, smooth, and confident way, especially through or across a space
A cold wind swept across the playground and sent papers flying everywhere.
sweep + across + noun (path swept)
Tanvi swept into the meeting room and took her seat at the head of the table.
The dancer's arm swept gracefully through the air during the final pose.
Élise swept past the reception desk without stopping to sign in.
The doors opened and the general swept out followed by his officers.
- tiptoe
to move slowly and quietly, the opposite of a sweeping entrance
文法句型
sweep + preposition (across / through / into / past / along)
sweep + adverb (past / by / out)
用法筆記
Often conveys an impression of elegance, power, or confidence. The subject can be a person, wind, water, or light.
常見錯誤
3. to spread very quickly through a place or group of people, so that many are affe
to spread very quickly through a place or group of people, so that many are affected at once
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd when the singer appeared on stage.
emotion + sweeps + through + noun (group)
News of the earthquake swept across the country within minutes of the first shake.
A feeling of panic swept over her when she realised her passport was gone.
The fashion for wearing bright orange sweaters swept through the city last winter.
The disease swept through the village before the medical team could reach it.
文法句型
sweep + through / across / over + noun (area / population)
用法筆記
Common with emotions (fear, excitement, panic), news/information, fashions/trends, and diseases. Subject can be abstract or concrete.
常見錯誤
4. to move across every part of an area, examining it carefully in order to find so
to move across every part of an area, examining it carefully in order to find someone or something
The rescue team swept the forest with torches all night looking for the lost child.
sweep + area + with + tool + for + target
Nellie's eyes swept the room quickly to find her sister among the guests.
eyes + sweep + area (visual search)
The police swept the entire building with dogs trained to find explosives.
Using a telescope, Eric swept the night sky looking for signs of the comet.
The radar beam swept the ocean surface searching for any boats in trouble.
文法句型
sweep + noun (area) + for + noun
sweep + adverb + for + noun
用法筆記
The object is the area being searched, not the thing being looked for. For the target of the search, use 'sweep + area + for + noun'.
常見錯誤
5. used when talking about a road, river, mountain range, or staircase that takes a
used when talking about a road, river, mountain range, or staircase that takes a long, smooth, sweeping curve as it extends across the landscape
The road sweeps around the hill and offers a beautiful view of the valley below.
road + sweeps + around + noun
A long driveway sweeps up to the front door of the old country house.
driveway + sweeps + up to + noun
The river sweeps in a wide curve through the town before reaching the sea.
The mountain range sweeps across the entire country from the coast to the desert.
A set of wide stone steps sweeps down from the terrace into the garden below.
文法句型
noun (road / river / mountain) + sweeps + preposition (around / across / down / up)
用法筆記
Only used for natural or architectural features that form a long, continuous curve. Not used for small or man-made objects.
常見錯誤
6. to force someone or something to travel in a certain direction because of natura
to force someone or something to travel in a certain direction because of natural forces such as water, wind, or a crowd, typically with great power and speed
The floodwaters swept the car away before the driver could get out of it.
floodwater + sweeps + object + away (forceful removal)
Folake was swept along by the crowd and ended up outside the stadium gates.
passive: be swept + along
The strong current swept the small fishing boat far out to sea.
A huge wave swept two children off the rocks and into the cold water below.
The wind swept her straw hat off her head and carried it down the street.
- hold
to keep in place, the opposite of carrying away
文法句型
sweep + noun + adverb (away / along / off / up)
be swept + adverb
用法筆記
Common with natural forces (flood, wave, wind, current). In the passive voice ('be swept away/along'), it can also describe emotional impact: 'She was swept away by his charm.'
常見錯誤
7. to win every part of a competition, election, or series of events easily, withou
to win every part of a competition, election, or series of events easily, without losing any part
The basketball team swept the series winning all four games against their strongest rivals.
team + sweeps + series (win all games)
Yael's party swept the election and took control of every major city council.
The young athlete swept all the gold medals at the national swimming championships.
The movie swept the awards ceremony winning every category it was nominated for.
Minho's school team swept to victory in the final and became city champions.
- dominate
implies being best throughout but not necessarily winning everything
- win outright
clearer but more formal; less dynamic than sweep
文法句型
sweep + noun (series / election / competition)
sweep + to + noun (victory / power)
用法筆記
Often used in sports, politics, and entertainment. The noun phrase 'clean sweep' (meaning a complete victory) is very common.
常見錯誤
sweep — noun
1. a fast, wide movement of something through the air or across a surface, or a car
a fast, wide movement of something through the air or across a surface, or a careful search across an area
With a single sweep of her hand she pushed all the papers off the desk.
sweep of + body part (gesture)
The police conducted a sweep of the abandoned building looking for stolen goods.
conduct a sweep + of + area (search)
The eagle took off with a powerful sweep of its huge wings.
The search team completed a sweep of the beach at dawn but found nothing.
Tuan cut the branch down with one clean sweep of his sharp axe.
文法句型
a / the + sweep + of + noun
a + adjective + sweep
make a sweep of + noun (area)
用法筆記
The phrase 'a clean sweep' has two distinct meanings: (1) a smooth single motion, and (2) winning everything — see noun sense 7.
2. a broad stretch of land, water, or other surface that extends in a long, smooth
a broad stretch of land, water, or other surface that extends in a long, smooth curve
A great sweep of white sand stretched along the coast as far as the eye could see.
sweep of + natural feature (landscape)
The river makes a wide sweep around the old castle before flowing into the lake.
From the top of the tower you can see the full sweep of the valley below.
The garden had a beautiful sweep of green lawn in front of the main house.
The building stands alone on a sweep of open ground near the airport runway.
文法句型
a / the + sweep + of + noun (land / water / lawn)
a + adjective + sweep + of + noun
用法筆記
Often describes natural scenery (beaches, valleys, lawns) or the curve of a river. Use 'sweep of' followed by a landscape noun.
3. an act of cleaning a surface with a broom or brush
an act of cleaning a surface with a broom or brush
The floor needs a good sweep before we put down the new rug.
need a sweep (requires cleaning)
Layla gave the kitchen a quick sweep after dinner and wiped down the counters.
give + noun + a + adjective + sweep
This broom is perfect for a daily sweep of the living room floor.
The caretaker does a thorough sweep of all the classrooms every evening.
A quick sweep of the patio cleared away all the fallen leaves and dust.
文法句型
a / the + sweep + of + noun (floor / room)
give + noun + a sweep
need a sweep
用法筆記
Countable noun — you can say 'a sweep' meaning one cleaning action. Often used with 'give' or 'need'.
常見錯誤
4. a person whose job is to clean the inside of chimneys, removing soot and blockag
a person whose job is to clean the inside of chimneys, removing soot and blockages
The chimney sweep arrived with a set of long brushes and a metal ladder.
chimney sweep + carries + tools (profession)
In old storybooks chimney sweeps were shown with blackened faces and hands.
Our chimney sweep comes once a year to check that the fireplace is safe to use.
The street artist painted a picture of a chimney sweep from a hundred years ago.
The chimney sweep discovered a bird's nest blocking the flue and removed it carefully.
用法筆記
Often shortened to just 'sweep' in informal British English. 'I need to call the sweep' is a common phrase in older houses with fireplaces.
5. a cricket shot where the batter crouches on one knee and swings the bat across t
a cricket shot where the batter crouches on one knee and swings the bat across the body, striking the ball toward the leg side
The batter played a perfect sweep shot that sent the ball racing to the boundary.
play a sweep (cricket shot)
The coach taught the young players how to execute a safe sweep without getting out.
His favourite stroke in cricket is the sweep because it gives him good control of the ball.
The bowler aimed at the stumps but the batter hit a sweep for four runs.
Esteban practised the sweep for hours until he could time the shot perfectly.
用法筆記
A specialised cricket term. Learners from countries where cricket is not played are unlikely to need this sense.
6. a fixed period of several weeks during which television audience numbers are mea
a fixed period of several weeks during which television audience numbers are measured to determine advertising prices for the coming months
TV channels always show their best programmes during the sweep period in November.
during the sweep period (fixed time window)
The networks compete fiercely during the sweeps to attract the largest possible audience.
during the sweeps (plural, meaning the period)
The company sets its advertising costs based on the data from the last sweep.
During the February sweep every channel puts out its strongest shows and movies.
The ratings from this sweep will decide how much advertisers have to pay next season.
文法句型
the + sweep + period
during the + sweeps
用法筆記
Typically pluralised as 'the sweeps' or used attributively as 'sweep period'. Most common in the US television industry.
7. the result when a single person, team, or group wins every available prize, game
the result when a single person, team, or group wins every available prize, game, or competition without exception
The team completed a clean sweep by winning all three major competitions this year.
complete a clean sweep + of + competitions
Japan made a clean sweep of the gold medals in all the swimming events.
make a clean sweep + of + medals/prizes
The company achieved a clean sweep of all the industry awards at the ceremony.
The tennis player won a clean sweep of all four major tournaments this season.
A clean sweep by one party in the election can change the country's direction completely.
- grand slam
more specific — usually refers to winning all major tournaments in a sport
- perfect season
refers to winning every match or game, not just every competition
文法句型
a + clean + sweep
make a clean sweep + of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'a clean sweep'. Rarely used without the adjective 'clean'.