clean sweep

USAGE SUMMARY

"clean sweep" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something has been completely and thoroughly done or achieved. For example, "The government made a clean sweep of the opposition in the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

-J.D. Clean sweep Call him Mr. Clean.

Forbes

Clean sweep".

The Guardian

To watch: Clean sweep.

The Economist

It's a clean sweep".

The New York Times

A clean sweep followed.

The New York Times - Sports

Clean sweep, or dead heat?

The Economist

A clean sweep for 1969.

The Guardian - Film

And he could get a clean sweep.

The New York Times

"You'd make a clean sweep," she said.

The New York Times

Will Europe perform a major clean sweep?

The Times

There, the moderates made a clean sweep.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clean sweep" to convey a comprehensive victory or a complete removal of something. It's often employed in sports, elections, or organizational changes for impactful communication.

Common error

Avoid using "clean sweep" when the victory or removal is only partial or limited. The phrase implies a complete and thorough outcome, not a near-miss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clean sweep" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It signifies a complete or overwhelming victory, or a thorough change, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where it describes election results or policy changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clean sweep" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a complete and overwhelming victory or a thorough change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, although it's essential to ensure the outcome truly reflects a comprehensive result. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports, "clean sweep" effectively communicates the totality of an achievement or transformation, as supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Remember to use it when you want to stress that nothing was left untouched.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whitewash

Similar to clean sweep, often used in sports to describe winning every game in a series.

complete victory

Focuses solely on the winning aspect, without necessarily implying a complete removal of opposition.

overwhelming triumph

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the victory, suggesting a significant advantage.

total success

Highlights the achievement of a goal, but may not involve competition or elimination.

landslide victory

Specifically refers to a decisive win in an election or similar contest.

decisive win

Indicates a clear and unambiguous victory, without specifying the scope.

rout

Implies a crushing defeat of the opponent, often in a sporting context.

complete overhaul

Focuses on the aspect of thorough change and replacement, rather than victory.

thorough purge

Implies a forceful and comprehensive removal of unwanted elements or people.

clean break

Highlights a decisive separation from the past or a previous situation.

FAQs

How to use "clean sweep" in a sentence?

You can use "clean sweep" to describe a complete victory, as in, "The team achieved a "clean sweep" in the tournament" or to describe a complete removal or change, as in, "The new management implemented a "clean sweep" of the old policies".

What can I say instead of "clean sweep"?

You can use alternatives like "complete victory", "total success", or "overwhelming triumph" depending on the specific context.

Is "clean sweep" only used in sports?

No, while commonly used in sports to describe winning every game or match in a series, "clean sweep" can also be used in other contexts, such as politics to indicate winning all seats in an election, or in business to denote a complete change in management or policies.

What's the difference between "clean sweep" and "landslide victory"?

"Clean sweep" implies a complete victory in multiple contests or categories, while "landslide victory" refers specifically to a decisive win in an election or single contest, often by a large margin.