to sweep

Examples

• All

• The election went forward, but with the opposition parties boycotting, Musharraf swept the voting in the National and Provincial Assemblies.

  Academic text (2008)

• It is going to sweep the nation.

• And in five days I'm going to sweep that country.

  The Prof G Pod – Scott Galloway

• A lot of institutions are now convinced that Donald Trump is going to sweep the election.

• They sweep all before them.

  The Man with the Iron Heart (2017)

• Detroit is one period away from sweeping Toronto out of the playoffs.

  Goalie (2019)

• Then, in 1997, Tony Blair's Labour Party won the British general election and swept into power.

  Academic text (2003)

• The FIS, a moderate Islamic party, swept the 1991 elections by 80 percent of the popular vote.

  Academic text (2002)

• In the recent tournament, the team managed to sweep all of their matches, leading to a triumphant championship victory.

• The candidate's impressive speech helped him sweep the election, winning more votes than anyone had expected.

Synonyms

K

to kick-ass

vsto sweep

• Offensive

11 8.7

To beat someone by a large amount in a contest or game

is the neutral term for an overwhelming victory rather than a slang form

T

to thrash

vsto sweep

6 4.5

Beat someone completely in a game or contest

describes the same large win but without forceful or violent tone

R

to run the table

vsto sweep

• Informal

1 7.3

Win every game or match in a series without losing any

can mean an overwhelming victory but may not mean every single match

M

to mop up

vsto sweep

• Informal

1 5.2

To defeat an opponent completely and easily

covers winning large contests or series rather than only beating a single opponent

S

to sweep the board

vsto sweep

4.9

Win every prize or game in a competition

means an overwhelming victory but not always winning every contest

O

to overbeat

vsto sweep

4.9

Defeat an opponent easily in a game or contest

means an overwhelming victory but not necessarily with little effort

Antonyms

L

to lose

∞ 1.0

Fail to win a game or contest

Idioms

S

to sweep under the rug

• Informal

8 7.7

To hide a problem instead of dealing with it openly

Phrasal Verbs

S

to sweep off

• Informal

21 5.6

To make someone feel a sudden strong feeling, often romantic

S

to sweep away

16 3.8

To get rid of something completely so it no longer exists

S

to sweep the floor

14 1.0

To clean the floor by moving dust and dirt with a broom

S

to sweep over

8 4.6

A strong feeling that affects someone suddenly

S

to sweep away

7 4.6

To feel very strong emotions that you cannot control

S

to sweep up

7 5.8

To get carried into a situation and take part without meaning to

S

to sweep aside

3 4.7

To ignore an opinion or worry as unimportant

S

to sweep through

2 4.1

To finish something quickly and with little effort

S

to sweep out

1 2.2

To remove dirt or leaves from a place using a broom

S

to sweep away

1 3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

S

to sweep the board

4.9

Win every prize or game in a competition

S

to sweep off someone's feet

• Informal

4.5

Make someone feel very impressed and strongly attracted

S

to sweep the deck

2.8

To clean a boat's deck with a broom

Compounds

C

clean sweep

• Informal

5 3.6

A full success when someone wins everything or makes a complete change

S

sweep hand

• Specialized

1 5.5

A long hand on a watch or clock that shows seconds and moves smoothly

S

sweep oar

• Specialized

9.3

A long paddle one person holds with both hands to row a boat

S

sweep-second

• Specialized

8.6

A thin hand on a clock or watch attached at the middle that goes around every minute and moves smoothly

How Decisive

to sweep

43 3.2

rout

12 7.2

to win

∞ 1.0

edge

310 3.8

Surface Forms

Etymology