What Does “Sweep sth away” Mean?
“Sweep sth away” means to remove or get rid of something completely, often quickly or forcefully.
Introduction
The phrase “Sweep sth away” is a common phrasal verb in English. It can refer to both literal and figurative actions. For example, you might sweep dirt away with a broom, or you might sweep away doubts or fears, meaning to eliminate them. Understanding the “Sweep sth away” meaning helps learners use it naturally in daily conversations and writing. This phrasal verb is useful for describing actions that clear or remove something, whether physical objects or abstract ideas.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Sweep something away
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: To remove or eliminate something completely
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Sweep sth away” is a separable phrasal verb, so you can place the object between “sweep” and “away” or after “away.”
- Pattern 1: sweep something away
- Pattern 2: sweep away something
Both are correct, but the first pattern is more common.
How to Use Sweep sth away?
Use “Sweep sth away” when talking about physically clearing something or removing feelings, problems, or ideas. It often suggests a thorough or sudden removal. For example, you can say, “The flood swept away the bridge,” or “Her confidence swept away all her doubts.”
Examples
Imagine a strong wind removing leaves from a street. You could say, “The wind swept the leaves away.”
- The storm swept away many homes along the coast.
- His kind words swept away her worries.
- We need to sweep away the old papers from the desk.
- Time can sweep away painful memories.
- The new law aims to sweep away corruption.
These examples show how “Sweep sth away” can be used in different contexts.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the order of words or use the phrasal verb with no object.
- Incorrect: “The wind swept away.”
- Correct: “The wind swept the leaves away.”
- Incorrect: “She sweep away her fears.”
- Correct: “She swept away her fears.”
Remember, “sweep away” needs an object to make sense.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “clear away,” “wash away,” and “brush away.”
- Clear away: Usually means to tidy up or remove things physically.
- Wash away: Implies removal by water, often naturally.
- Brush away: Means to remove something lightly or quickly, often dust or dirt.
“Sweep sth away” is stronger and suggests a more forceful or complete removal than “brush away.”
Common Collocations
It’s helpful to know which words often appear with “Sweep sth away.”
- Debris: Pieces of broken material after damage
- Doubts: Feelings of uncertainty
- Fear: An unpleasant emotion caused by danger
- Problems: Difficult situations
- Leaves: Flat, green parts of a plant
These collocations show the variety of objects and ideas you can “sweep away.”
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of sweep sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “Sweep sth away”:
Alice: The flood was terrible. It swept away the entire bridge!
Ben: I heard that. It’s going to take months to fix.
Alice: Yes, but I hope the community’s spirit will sweep away the sadness.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “Sweep sth away”:
- The strong wind ________ all the dust ________.
- Her smile ________ my worries ________.
- The new policy aims to ________ corruption ________.
FAQ
- Q: Can “sweep away” be used without an object?
A: No, it needs an object to show what is being removed. - Q: Is “sweep away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “sweep” and “away” or after “away.” - Q: Can “sweep away” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it often describes removing feelings or problems. - Q: What level is “sweep sth away” suitable for?
A: It is generally used at the B1 level and above. - Q: What is the difference between “sweep away” and “brush away”?
A: “Sweep away” suggests a stronger, more complete removal than “brush away.”
