sweep up
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
In other words, the state’s interests in safety and competitive fairness are not furthered by sweeping up for exclusion that subset of trans girls, along with all biological males.
—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
Elliot Anderson swept up the second ball in midfield and laid a pass off to Morgan Rogers.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
So either the wedding will be long over, the confetti swept up, the guests all sent home with hangovers…or Bon Jovi will just plug in and keep the party going.
—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
The step-on dustpan kept us from having to constantly bend over to sweep up crumbs, while the extra-wide brush head got into corners to save time.
—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweep up
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show current usage.
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Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
Elliot Anderson swept up the second ball in midfield and laid a pass off to Morgan Rogers.
—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
30 June 2026
So either the wedding will be long over, the confetti swept up, the guests all sent home with hangovers…or Bon Jovi will just plug in and keep the party going.
—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
The step-on dustpan kept us from having to constantly bend over to sweep up crumbs, while the extra-wide brush head got into corners to save time.
—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
25 June 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 7 Jul. 2026.
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