be swept away

USAGE SUMMARY

"be swept away" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe being overwhelmed or carried off by emotions, events, or circumstances. Example: "In the moment of joy, she felt as if she would be swept away by the crowd." Alternative expressions include "be carried away" and "be overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

be swept away?

The New York Times - Arts

We can be swept away.

Independent

will be swept away.

The New York Times - Books

Then that, too, will be swept away.

The New York Times

Listen, and be swept away.

The Guardian - Music

Will homes be swept away across riverbanks?

The Guardian

I don't want to be swept away.

The Guardian - Film

Otherwise they should be "swept away".

The Guardian

They deserve to be swept away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not wanting to be swept away by sudden longing.

Columbia University

"Anyone up against it will be swept away".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, utilize the phrase to emphasize emotional surrender, such as being "swept away" by a performance or a piece of music.

Common error

Do not confuse "be swept away" with "be swiped away". The word 'swipe' is almost exclusively associated with digital touchscreens or quick, lateral hand movements, whereas "be swept away" implies being completely carried off by a fluid or powerful momentum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be swept away" functions as a passive verb phrase, combining the auxiliary verb 'be' with the past participle of 'sweep' and the adverbial particle 'away'. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe an object or person being the recipient of a powerful action that removes or overwhelms them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be swept away" is a robust and highly frequent expression in the English language. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most often used in journalistic and descriptive writing to convey a sense of being overpowered or carried off. Whether describing the physical destruction of homes by a river or the emotional impact of a musical performance, the phrase remains a standard for illustrating total immersion or removal by force. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, making it a safe and evocative choice for writers across various disciplines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be carried away

Focuses more on losing self-control or getting over-excited emotionally

be washed away

Used specifically for liquid forces like water, rain or tides

be overwhelmed

A more clinical or psychological term for being defeated by a large force

be eliminated

Often used in political or systemic contexts to mean removed entirely

be wiped out

Implies total destruction or complete removal

be phased out

Indicates a gradual removal rather than a sudden sweep

be removed

A neutral, literal term for being taken away from a position

be cast aside

Suggests being intentionally rejected or treated as unimportant

be discarded

Focuses on being thrown away like trash or an obsolete item

be destroyed

Focuses on the damage caused by the force rather than the movement away

FAQs

How do I use "be swept away" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, such as "The beach house might "be washed away" in the storm", or figuratively, like "She was worried she would "be carried away" by the excitement of the crowd".

What is the difference between literal and figurative uses of "be swept away"?

Literal use refers to physical movement by wind or water, while figurative use refers to being "be overwhelmed" by emotions, political shifts or technological changes.

What can I say instead of "be swept away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""be carried away"", ""be washed away"", or "be wiped out".

Is "be swept away" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a neutral phrase. It is professional enough for news reports in The New York Times, but it is also expressive enough for personal stories and literature.