be swept overboard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be swept overboard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to maritime situations, particularly when discussing someone being carried off a ship by waves or strong winds. Example: "During the storm, several crew members were in danger of being swept overboard if they didn't secure themselves properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Men are swept overboard!

The New Yorker

Those on deck were swept overboard.

The New Yorker

Mami and Papi are swept overboard, leaving the children to sail on alone.

The New York Times - Books

The Vema rode a severe storm in 1954, Ewing & 3 others were swept overboard; 1 crew member drowned.

The New Yorker

They were freezing, hungry (their supplies had mostly been swept overboard) and the smashed mast looked beyond repair.

The Guardian - Sport

There would be two more big waves to come, with their safety harnesses keeping the men from being swept overboard.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Latham said he stabbed Mr. Leiker several times before Mr. Leiker was swept overboard, clutching the life jacket, Mr. Marie said.

The New York Times

During the latter race, Hans Horrevoets, a Dutch sailor on ABN Amro's sister ship, was swept overboard and died during a storm in the Atlantic.

The New York Times - Sports

A British woman has died taking part in the Clipper Round the World yacht race after being swept overboard, the event's organisers have said.

The Guardian - Sport

On the opening day two men had been swept overboard, a catastrophic capsize narrowly avoided, the winning boat damaged but able to continue, and the losing boat limping home marked the opening day in San Francisco.

Independent

In his early childhood, An was living on a sampan in the cajeput forests at the southern tip of Vietnam when he was swept overboard during a typhoon and nearly drowned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing maritime incidents, use "be swept overboard" to convey the suddenness and force of a person being washed off a vessel by a wave or strong wind. This phrase often implies danger and potential loss of life.

Common error

Avoid using "be swept overboard" metaphorically unless the context clearly evokes a sense of being overwhelmed or violently displaced. Overusing it can sound melodramatic or out of place in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be swept overboard" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe an event where a person or object is forcibly displaced from a ship into the water. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be swept overboard" is a passive verb phrase that describes the event of someone or something being forcibly displaced from a ship or boat into the water. While grammatically sound, it is important to consider the context. Ludwig AI categorizes it as grammatically correct. Its primary function is to convey the sudden and dangerous nature of maritime incidents. Related phrases such as "be washed away" and "fall overboard" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. While "be swept overboard" is most at home in maritime narratives and news reports, metaphorical use should be approached cautiously to avoid sounding melodramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be carried away by the waves

Specifically mentions waves as the force of displacement.

be washed away

Focuses on the action of water carrying something away.

be thrown from the deck

Suggests a more forceful and sudden expulsion from a ship.

fall overboard

Highlights the act of falling from a vessel, implying subsequent submersion.

be pulled under by the current

Highlights the role of a strong current in causing submersion.

be lost at sea

Emphasizes the consequence of being lost in the ocean.

be driven off course

Focuses on the loss of direction and control due to external forces.

be capsized

Describes the event of a boat overturning.

be shipwrecked

Refers to the destruction or sinking of a ship.

drown at sea

Emphasizes the fatal outcome of being lost in the ocean.

FAQs

What does "be swept overboard" mean?

The phrase "be swept overboard" refers to a situation where someone is washed or knocked off a ship or boat into the water, typically due to a large wave or strong force.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be swept overboard"?

It is appropriate to use "be swept overboard" primarily when describing incidents at sea involving people being forced off a vessel by natural forces. It can also be used metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed, but use caution.

What are some alternatives to "be swept overboard"?

You can use alternatives such as "be washed away", "fall overboard", or "be thrown from the deck depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be swept overboard"?

Yes, "be swept overboard" is grammatically correct. It follows a passive voice construction indicating that someone or something is acted upon by an external force, resulting in them being displaced into the water from a vessel.