1 A2 neutral
To clean or remove something from a surface using a vacuum cleaner
"She hoovered up the biscuit crumbs before the guests arrived."
separable
hoover up
B2 informal separable transitive
To absorb, consume, or collect a large amount of something very quickly and thoroughly
In plain English
Take in or use up a huge amount of something very fast and completely
What does "hoover up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To acquire, absorb, or consume a large amount of something (resources, people, attention) rapidly and completely
"The startup hoovered up investment capital within weeks of launching."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To vacuum (hoover) something up from the floor or surface
Actually means
Take in or use up a huge amount of something very fast and completely
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Derived from the brand name 'Hoover' (vacuum cleaner). Used literally for vacuuming and figuratively for consuming resources, talent, attention, or information rapidly. The figurative use is increasingly common in journalism and business writing.
Words that pair with "hoover up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
resources talent profits data market share crumbs
How to conjugate "hoover up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hoover up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hoovers up
he/she/it
Past simple
hoovered up
yesterday
Past participle
hoovered up
have + pp
-ing form
hoovering up
continuous
Hear "hoover up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hoover up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "hoover up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.