What does "sweep aside" mean (sense 1)?

To forcefully dismiss objections, concerns, or opposition as if they were unimportant. Example: "The manager swept aside our concerns about the budget and pushed the project forward."

What does "sweep aside" mean (sense 2)?

To physically move someone or something out of the way with a powerful, sweeping motion. Example: "The bodyguard swept the reporters aside to clear a path for the diplomat."

What does "sweep aside" mean (sense 3)?

To easily defeat or overcome an opponent or obstacle with great force or confidence. Example: "The top-ranked team swept aside their opponents in the first round of the tournament."

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sweep aside

B2 neutral separable transitive

To forcefully remove, dismiss, or overcome opposition, obstacles, or concerns, treating them as unimportant or irrelevant.

In plain English

To push something out of the way with force, or to ignore something completely as if it doesn't matter.

What does "sweep aside" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To forcefully dismiss objections, concerns, or opposition as if they were unimportant.

"The manager swept aside our concerns about the budget and pushed the project forward."

separable

2 B1 neutral

uncommon

To physically move someone or something out of the way with a powerful, sweeping motion.

"The bodyguard swept the reporters aside to clear a path for the diplomat."

separable

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To easily defeat or overcome an opponent or obstacle with great force or confidence.

"The top-ranked team swept aside their opponents in the first round of the tournament."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To use a sweeping arm motion to push something to the side — clearing a path by force.

Actually means

To push something out of the way with force, or to ignore something completely as if it doesn't matter.

Usage tip

Frequently used in political, sports, and business reporting to describe a powerful force overcoming resistance. Also used figuratively for dismissing concerns, rules, or objections. Carries a sense of power and decisiveness.

Words that pair with "sweep aside"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

objections concerns opposition rivals rules fears

How to conjugate "sweep aside"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

sweep aside

I/you/we/they

3rd person

sweeps aside

he/she/it

Past simple

sweeped aside

yesterday

Past participle

sweeped aside

have + pp

-ing form

sweeping aside

continuous

Hear "sweep aside" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "sweep aside" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "sweep aside"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

brush aside dismiss disregard overcome override push aside

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "sweep" All phrasal verbs with "aside" More B2-level phrasal verbs