sweep out
A2 neutral separable both
In simple words
To use a broom to clean all the dirt out of a room, or to leave a place in a very confident and impressive way.
Literal meaning: To sweep (with a broom), moving dirt or debris out of an enclosed space.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To clean a room or space by sweeping all dirt and rubbish out of it with a broom.
"They swept out the old barn before moving the equipment in."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To leave a place in a dramatic, confident, or dignified manner.
"Furious at the accusation, she swept out of the boardroom without another word."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The literal cleaning sense is very common and transparent. The figurative sense of a dramatic exit (paralleling 'sweep in') is also used but less frequently. In the cleaning sense, the object is the space being cleaned.
Commonly used with
garage barn room corner fireplace stable
Forms
Base
sweep out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sweeps out
he/she/it
Past simple
sweeped out
yesterday
Past participle
sweeped out
have + pp
-ing form
sweeping out
continuous
Understand "sweep out" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "sweep out" on Looplines