to sweep away
11
4.6
- phrasal verb
- /swip əˈweɪ/
- Eli is also presumably swept away by the giant wave.
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Watch on YouTubeWe have to move with that change or we will risk being swept away by it.
- We have to move with that change or we will risk being swept away by it.
Examples
-
A wave of tenderness and concern swept me away, and for a moment, I forgot my many doubts about this woman.
Fiction book (2002) -
When Lonesome Will takes the stage, audiences are swept away by his range, talent, and showmanship.
Blog text (6) -
I never saw anybody so swept away by this place.
Fiction book (1992) -
As the opera ends, they are both swept away by it.
Fiction book (1990) -
Some respondents reported being "swept away" and completely forgetting about any kind of risk.
Academic text (2005) -
The beauty was so complete that it swept away all cynicism.
Academic text (2001) -
Or are you only swept away by his proclaimed love for you?
Fiction book (2001) -
"I was a war nurse!" a woman cries out, but she is already being swept away by the current of the crowd.
Fiction book (2002) -
W.B. instantly recognized the power of its significance and was swept away.
Academic text (2005) -
During the emotional speech, many audience members were swept away by feelings of nostalgia.
Synonyms
276
4.7
To defeat completely, often by force, ending a group or idea
193
4.4
Make someone feel very strong emotions so they cannot think clearly
105
3.4
Make someone feel strong emotions
60
5.1
To cover something completely and suddenly, often by fire or water
49
4.1
Be so affected by a strong feeling that you cannot control yourself
34
4.8
Feel a sudden strong emotion or pain
31
5.6
To make someone feel a sudden strong feeling, often romantic
31
4.5
Make someone feel very impressed and strongly attracted
31
5.8
To get carried into a situation and take part without meaning to
22
5.1
To suddenly have a strong feeling that you cannot control
8
5.3
To suddenly start crying or laughing and lose control
6
4.6
A strong feeling that affects someone suddenly
2
9.9
To feel a very strong emotion that takes control of you
1
5.3
Make people feel deep sadness or pity
1
7.0
To give someone so much care and affection that they feel overwhelmed
1
7.3
To suddenly feel a very strong emotion that you cannot control
1
5.3
To feel an emotion so strongly that you show it openly
How Overwhelming
193
4.4
11
4.6
- Informal
31
4.5
250
2.9
105
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to remove or destroy completely' is directly derivable from combining 'sweep' (to move or remove by sweeping) with 'away' (removed/going away), yielding a typical motion/causative sense of complete removal. This compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Sweep away paints a simple picture: imagine a strong wave or wind that lifts and carries people or things off. So, being swept away by emotion is like being carried off by that force, which is why it means 'to be carried away by strong feelings'.