make a clean sweep

1. Remove or eliminate unwanted persons or things, as in The new owners made a clean sweep of the place, intending to replace all the equipment . This phrase replaced the much older (16th-century) general sweep . [Mid-1800s]

2. Win overwhelmingly, as in Our candidate made a clean sweep of all the districts . This usage is most often found with reference to success in a sports competition or election.

Example Sentences

To prevail, Trump’s opponents will have to make a clean sweep of three primary legal questions: First, is the presidency an “office” and is the president an “officer” subject to Section 3?

From Slate

Arkansas beat both Auburn and Kentucky and could make a clean sweep with a second win over the Vols.

From Seattle Times

A third, “Fool’s House,” in Philadelphia, has a broom attached, as if to make a clean sweep.

From New York Times

Make a clean sweep and add Fort Carson, Colo., to the list for renaming.

From Washington Post

The Austrian was favoured to make a clean sweep of the Björn Borg Group against Berrettini, but will not be totally disheartened.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• disturb
• reorganize
• shock