Phrasal verb
sweep out
Definition
phrasal verb. to clean a room or a space by using a brush to push dirt and dust out of it.
phrasal verb. to clean the interior of a space by using a broom to move debris toward the exit or into a dustpan. Transitive and separable.
Examples
“Please sweep out the garage before you leave.”
“After the party finished, we had to sweep out all the confetti from the living room.”
“The caretaker meticulously swept out the ancient stone chapel, ensuring that every grain of sand was removed from the crevices of the floor.”
Examples
simple
“Please sweep out the garage before you leave.”
contextual
“After the party finished, we had to sweep out all the confetti from the living room.”
complex
“The caretaker meticulously swept out the ancient stone chapel, ensuring that every grain of sand was removed from the crevices of the floor.”
Usage
The object can be the space being cleaned or the dirt being removed.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'sweep up', which focuses on gathering dirt into a pile, whereas 'sweep out' emphasizes removing it from a specific area.
Pitfall
I swept out of the kitchen.
I swept out the kitchen.
The preposition 'of' is not used after 'sweep out' when identifying the room being cleaned.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
sweep + (object) + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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