clean sweep
clean sweep
Meaning
- an irresistible victory.
- easy success.
- to defeat the competitor very easily.
- win devastatingly.
Example Sentences
- The forecasters are predicting a clean sweep for the ruling party in the approaching election.
- I’m not sure how to make a clean sweep of all the problems in my life.
- The United States swept all the terrorists out of Afghanistan and Iraq.
- I am sure that Germany is going to make a clean sweep of France in this football match.
- This song made a clean sweep of all the Music Awards around the globe throughout the year; really, it’s a masterpiece.
Origin and History
Currently, we don’t have any authentic historic evidence about the origin of this phrase.
This phrase has maintained its popularity in the English language over the years. This idiom compares an adversary or rival to dust, which we can effortlessly remove, leading to a neat and tidy environment.
Share your opinions1 Opinion
During World War II, American submarine crews, eager to showcase their many accomplishments, revived the practice. If a boat sank every target with which she engaged over the course of a patrol, the crew attached brooms to the periscope shears so their success, a “clean sweep,” was on display as they entered port.
‒ Вихрен Костадинов August 22, 2023