1 B2 neutral
To carry someone or something rapidly forward by a powerful physical force such as water, wind, or a crowd.
"The floodwaters swept the wooden debris along the valley."
separable
sweep along
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To carry or move someone or something forcefully and rapidly in a particular direction, or to cause someone to be caught up enthusiastically in a movement or feeling.
In plain English
To pull or push someone or something along quickly — like a strong river current carrying you forward.
What does "sweep along" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To cause someone to become enthusiastically caught up in a movement, feeling, or event, often without fully choosing to.
"She was swept along by the excitement of the carnival and forgot all about her worries."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To use a sweeping motion to carry something along a path — like a broom moving debris down a floor.
Actually means
To pull or push someone or something along quickly — like a strong river current carrying you forward.
Usage tip
Used both literally (of floods, wind, crowds) and figuratively (of emotions, enthusiasm, events). The figurative sense, where a person is 'swept along' by excitement or a movement, is very common.
Words that pair with "sweep along"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
current crowd excitement momentum wave enthusiasm
How to conjugate "sweep along"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sweep along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sweeps along
he/she/it
Past simple
sweeped along
yesterday
Past participle
sweeped along
have + pp
-ing form
sweeping along
continuous
Hear "sweep along" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sweep along" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "sweep along"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
bear along carry along propel rush along whisk along
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