wipe through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'wipe through' is not a commonly used phrase in standard English, so it may be best to avoid it in your writing.
If you did choose to use it, it would likely mean to pass something quickly or in a hurry. For example: "I wiped through the exam quickly and finished it early."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Protect yourself by setting up remote wipe through Find My Phone for iOS or Exchange for Android.

TechCrunch

But losses booked from selling at fire-sale prices could quickly wipe through thin layers of equity.

The Economist

"You can bury an AK in sand, dig it up, give it a wipe through the barrel, put a magazine on it and fire it," he says.

The Guardian

Dip a soft cleaning cloth into this solution and wipe through the shoe inner area, over the sole.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The slide wiped through what neighbours described as a former fishing village of small homes – some nearly 100 years old.

The Guardian

Santa Maria della Salute was built after a severe bout of the plague that wiped through Venice in 1630 and is a baroque style church of towering white walls and pale blue domes.

Huffington Post

Hold the bearing with the other hand and wipe it through the grease.

WikiHow

Failure to follow through could wipe out many of the gains in places like Hayaniya, one of Basra's most deprived areas and a Sadrist stronghold, where residents already grumble that they have seen little evidence of improvement.

The New York Times

At Laeken, Europe, at last, spoke out authoritatively on major issues such as combating terrorism, and the decision to adopt what has been dubbed the first 'Marshall Plan' for Palestine is confirmation of Europe' s intention not just to wipe out terrorism through military force - as is right and proper - but also to resolve the issues by political means.

EU Parlament

Then, he said, "a large storm can come through and completely wipe it out," leaving shallow channels traveling around sandbars in multiple threads, what geologists call a braided channel.

The New York Times - Science

Her father, Normand, was there to watch her and wiped tears through the practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wipe through" to describe a rapid and often forceful action that removes or cleans something from a surface or area. Ensure the context clearly indicates the action's speed and thoroughness.

Common error

While "wipe through" is acceptable, it can sound less formal. In academic or business contexts, consider stronger, more precise verbs like "eliminate", "remove", or "sweep" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wipe through" is that of a phrasal verb, indicating an action performed quickly and efficiently. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from cleaning to describing rapid movement or eradication. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase, while acceptable, is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Wipe through" functions as a phrasal verb suggesting a rapid and efficient action, often related to cleaning, removal, or swift movement. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically sound, the phrase is not a staple of standard English and is more suitable for neutral to informal registers. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, with wiki and scientific sources also reflecting its presence. When aiming for formal or business communication, consider substituting "wipe through" with more precise alternatives like "eliminate" or "remove" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sweep through

Emphasizes a broad and rapid movement across an area.

rush through

Highlights speed and haste in completing or moving through something.

cleanse thoroughly

Focuses on complete removal and purification.

eliminate entirely

Stresses the complete removal or destruction of something.

pass rapidly

Indicates a quick and fleeting movement.

move quickly through

Highlights the speed of movement through a particular space or process.

clear out quickly

Suggests a fast and efficient removal or evacuation.

clean swiftly

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of cleaning.

erase completely

Emphasizes the total removal of something, leaving no trace.

obliterate completely

Implies the total destruction or removal of something, often forcefully.

FAQs

How can I use "wipe through" in a sentence?

You can use "wipe through" to describe a quick cleaning action, like, "She "wiped through" the kitchen quickly after dinner." It can also describe rapid movement or removal.

What does "wipe through" mean?

"Wipe through" typically suggests a quick and efficient cleaning or removal process, or a rapid movement across an area.

Which is a better alternative to "wipe through": "sweep through" or "clean thoroughly"?

"Sweep through" emphasizes rapid movement across a broad area, while "clean thoroughly" focuses on a comprehensive cleaning action. The better alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "wipe through" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "wipe through" may sound less formal. Consider stronger, more precise verbs like "eliminate" or "remove" for a more professional tone in academic or business contexts.