To remove, destroy, or carry something away completely with a powerful force, or to overwhelm someone emotionally.
To completely remove or destroy something with a strong force, like a flood, or to make someone feel very strongly about something.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To physically remove or destroy something completely by means of a powerful force such as water, wind, or a crowd.
"The tsunami swept away entire villages within minutes."
The flood waters swept away houses, bridges, and livestock.
— BBC News, reporting on South Asian monsoon floods, widely paraphrased in various reports.
To overwhelm someone completely with a strong emotion, enthusiasm, or feeling.
"He was swept away by the beauty of the music and couldn't hold back tears."
To eliminate old ideas, systems, or traditions, replacing them with something new.
"The revolution swept away centuries of aristocratic privilege overnight."
To use a broom to sweep something completely away — removing it from a space entirely.
To completely remove or destroy something with a strong force, like a flood, or to make someone feel very strongly about something.
Has both a literal sense (destruction by natural forces) and a common figurative sense (being emotionally overwhelmed). Also used for cleaning thoroughly. Newspapers use it frequently for floods, storms, and political upheavals.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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