swamp out
To give a dirty, wet, or messy place a really thorough cleaning, usually with water.
Meanings
To clean out an enclosed space, especially a vehicle or animal stall, by washing and scrubbing it thoroughly.
"After the flood, the volunteers spent all day swamping out the ground floor of the community centre."
In military or outdoor contexts, to clean and clear out a tent, vehicle, or temporary shelter.
"The sergeant ordered the recruits to swamp out the barracks before lights out."
Used especially in military (cleaning out vehicles or billets), nautical, and rural/farming contexts. Less common in everyday domestic use. Can also occasionally mean to overwhelm someone with too much work, though 'swamp' alone is used more often for this.
Commonly used with
Forms
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