sweep out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweep out" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to clean or remove something by pushing it away with a swift and forceful motion. Example: The caretaker swept out the classroom after the students had left for the day. Another example: The strong winds swept out all the debris from the streets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That will be a good time to sweep out the old and bring in the new.

The Economist

These new documents enable Scheijen to sweep out many cobwebbed corners in the Diaghilev story.

The New Yorker

Should he do that, he will be able to sweep out the UMNO old guard.

The Economist

Catch it too early, and the wave will sweep out in front, leaving you behind.

The New York Times - Books

There will come a time when he will come and sweep out the Nazis.

The New York Times

If elected, he would sweep out the old guard.In this section Losers' writhings Will Yugoslavia break again?

The Economist

You had to make change, you had to give out transfers, you had to sweep out the bus.

The New York Times

"I'm anticipating being slow for a while," he said of his first-time effort to sweep out everything.

The New York Times

Mr. Thompson kept an eye on a swiftly changing black community, which threatened to sweep out the white establishment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Maxwell gets his reverse-sweep out again … and to devastating effect!

The Guardian - Sport

Giraud et al. (1971) and Henry and Metcalfe (1983) reported that the realistic permeability data must be used in evaluating the volumetric sweep-out.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sweep out" to describe removing people from positions, ensure the context clearly indicates a forceful or decisive action. For instance, "The new CEO planned to "sweep out" the old management team."

Common error

Avoid using "sweep out" when describing gentle or meticulous cleaning. The phrase implies a rapid and forceful removal, so opt for "clean" or "dust" if the action is less vigorous. For instance, don't say "She swept out the antique vase" when "She cleaned the antique vase" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sweep out" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "sweep" with the particle "out" to create a new meaning, indicating removal or cleaning, often with force or thoroughness. Ludwig confirms that "sweep out" is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sweep out" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a forceful or thorough removal, whether physical or figurative. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that suits various situations. While versatile, it should be used carefully to avoid misrepresenting the action as gentle or meticulous cleaning. Remember to consider context and choose alternatives like "clean out" or "eliminate" to achieve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean out

Focuses on a thorough cleaning process, often involving removal of unwanted items.

clear out

Implies removing everything from a space, making it empty.

brush away

Focuses on the action of removing something light, like dust, with a brush.

get rid of

A more informal way to express removing something unwanted.

remove

A general term for taking something away, lacking the sweeping motion.

eliminate

Implies complete removal, often of something undesirable or problematic.

oust

Suggests removing someone from a position of power or influence.

purge

Indicates a forceful and often sudden removal of undesirable elements.

weed out

Suggests selectively removing undesirable elements from a group.

evict

Specifically refers to the forceful removal of someone from a property.

FAQs

How can I use "sweep out" in a sentence?

You can use "sweep out" to describe physically cleaning an area, as in, "I need to "sweep out" the garage this weekend." It can also mean removing people or things forcefully, like, "The new manager plans to "sweep out" the underperforming staff."

What is a good alternative to "sweep out" when talking about cleaning?

When referring to cleaning, you can use alternatives like "clean out", "clear out", or "tidy up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sweep out" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "sweep out" can sometimes sound informal depending on the context. In more formal writing, consider alternatives like "remove" or "eliminate" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "sweep out" and "clean up"?

"Sweep out" often implies a more thorough or forceful removal than "clean up". "Clean up" suggests tidying and organizing, while "sweep out" suggests removing everything, including unwanted items or even people.