English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Clean sweep
Meaning
The idiom "clean sweep" refers to a complete or thorough success in accomplishing something, often involving the removal of all obstacles or opposition. It can also mean that everything is done with great efficiency and effectiveness.
Usage
- The team's impressive clean sweep of the season made them unbeatable.
- The new CEO implemented a clean sweep of changes in the company's management team.
- After years of trying to convince his parents, John finally convinced them with a clean sweep argument.
- The team's victory was a clean sweep of the final match.
- The scientist's experiment was a clean sweep success, with all variables accounted for and no errors found.
Roots and History
The idiom "clean sweep" dates back to the 18th century in England. It originally referred to the act of sweeping away everything in its path, leaving nothing behind. Over time, the meaning of the idiom evolved to refer to a complete and total success, often involving the removal of all opposition or obstacles.
Synonyms in English
- Complete victory
- Absolute triumph
- Total domination
- Unconditional surrender
- Total control
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish - "Triunfo total" (total victory)
- French - "Victoire totale" (total victory)
- German - "Totaler Erfolg" (total success)
- Italian - "Vittoria completa" (complete victory)
- Russian - "Победа полная" (full victory)