sweep up

USAGE SUMMARY

'sweep up' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to gather or clean up pieces or amounts of something that are scattered. For example: "She quickly swept up the broken glass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's time to sweep up the glitter.

The New York Times

Halfpenny is there to sweep up though.

The Guardian - Sport

"I watched it sweep up cars, houses, everything.

Independent

Afterward, I made her sweep up the nonexistent mess.

The New York Times

But he does not want to sweep up their glass.

The New York Times

The NSA did not sweep up all emails.

The Guardian

I sweep up, I take the glasses to the bar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Everyone," he said, "has to sweep up in front of their own door.

The New York Times - Sports

At one of the many transport stations here, battered minibuses sweep up and spit out passengers.

The New York Times

Legs sweep up into hyperextended positions; individual body parts are given their own thrusts.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Boehner did not mention in his interview that this increase cost him his sweep-up job.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sweep up" when you specifically want to describe the act of cleaning with a broom or gathering scattered items.

Common error

Avoid using "sweep up" when you mean a general cleaning process that doesn't involve a broom or brush. Use phrases like "clean up" or "tidy up" instead if the action isn't specifically sweeping.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sweep up" is a phrasal verb. It combines the verb 'sweep' with the particle 'up' to create a distinct meaning related to cleaning or gathering. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sweep up" is a versatile term commonly used to describe the action of cleaning with a broom or gathering scattered items. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage spans from everyday contexts to more formal settings like news and media. While "sweep up" is frequently used literally, it can also carry a metaphorical meaning, indicating the act of decisively winning or overwhelming. When using "sweep up", ensure the context aligns with its specific meaning of cleaning with a sweeping motion or gathering, to avoid confusion with more general cleaning terms. The best practice is to use "sweep up" when a cleaning action with a broom is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean up

Focuses more broadly on the act of making something tidy, not necessarily with a broom or sweeping motion.

gather up

Emphasizes the act of collecting scattered items together.

collect

A more general term for bringing things together.

tidy up

Similar to "clean up", suggesting a general act of tidying or organizing.

clear away

Highlights the removal of something that is obstructing a space.

mop up

Specifically refers to cleaning up liquids using a mop.

vacuum

Implies using a vacuum cleaner for cleaning.

take over

In contexts where "sweep up" means to overwhelm, this phrase suggests assuming control.

overwhelm

Directly captures the meaning of "sweep up" when used to describe being overpowered by something.

snatch up

Implies quickly grabbing or securing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "sweep up" to describe the act of cleaning with a broom, for example, "Please "sweep up" the spilled sugar". It can also mean to gather or collect something, like "The company tried to "sweep up" all the available shares".

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

"Sweep up" specifically refers to cleaning with a broom or brush. "Clean up", on the other hand, is a more general term that encompasses various methods of making something tidy. For example, you "sweep up" crumbs, but you might "clean up" an entire room using various cleaning tools.

What can I say instead of "sweep up" when referring to gathering something?

If you're using "sweep up" to mean gathering or collecting something, you could use alternatives like "gather up", "collect", or "round up" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "sweep up" metaphorically?

Yes, "sweep up" can be used metaphorically to mean to overwhelm or decisively win, as in "The new product is expected to "sweep up" the market share". This usage is less common but grammatically correct.