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to sweep up
[phrase form: sweep]
01
to collect and remove dirt or trash, typically from the floor or a surface using a broom
Transitive: to sweep up dirt or trash
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
up
Base verb
sweep
Present tense
sweep up
3rd person singular
sweeps up
Present participle
sweeping up
Past simple
swept up
Past participle
swept up
Examples
The barista had to sweep the coffee grounds up around the espresso machine.
02
to lift someone with a quick, smooth movement
Transitive: to sweep up sb
Examples
The knight in the storybook always sweeps up the damsel in distress to rescue her.
03
to eagerly adopt and make someone else's ideas or practices, a part of one's own
Transitive: to sweep up ideas or practices
Examples
The company quickly swept up the innovative marketing strategy introduced by its competitor.
04
to force someone to do something or be in a certain situation
Transitive: to sweep up sb
Examples
The sudden announcement swept up the employees into a state of anticipation.
05
to gather and pull hair back from the face, often into a particular hairstyle
Transitive: to sweep up hair
Examples
She swept up her long hair into an elegant bun for the formal event.
