Sweep up Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈswip/ /ˈəp

SWEEP-uhp

UK

swˈiːp/ /ˈʌp

sweep-UP

Definition

To clean a floor or area by using a broom to gather up dirt and debris. It can also mean to remove or collect things thoroughly.

Usage & Nuances

'Sweep up' is informal and common in everyday speech. Often used for floors, leaves, or even metaphorically (e.g., 'sweep up the mess'). Typical collocations: 'sweep up the kitchen', 'sweep up after a party'. Don't confuse with just 'sweep'—'sweep up' emphasizes collecting and removing dirt.

• Spanish: barrer - limpiar (recoger con la escoba)
• Portuguese (BR): varrer - limpar (com vassoura)
• Portuguese (PT): varrer - limpar (com vassoura)
• Chinese (Simplified): 打扫 - 清扫
• Chinese (Traditional): 打掃 - 清掃
• Hindi: झाड़ू लगाना - सफाई करना
• Arabic: يكنس - ينظف (بالمكنسة)
• Bengali: ঝাড়ু দিয়ে পরিষ্কার করা - ময়লা জড়ো করা
• Russian: подметать - смести
• Japanese: 掃き集める
• Vietnamese: quét sạch - dọn sạch
• Korean: 쓸어 모으다
• Turkish: süpürüp toplamak
• Urdu: جھاڑو دینا اور اکٹھا کرنا
• Indonesian: menyapu bersih - mengumpulkan dengan sapu

Example Sentences

Please sweep up the crumbs after breakfast.

basic

He used a broom to sweep up the leaves.

basic

Can you sweep up this mess in the hallway?

basic

I'll sweep up after everyone leaves the party.

natural

We had to sweep up all the broken glass from the floor.

natural

It took hours to sweep up after the parade downtown.

natural