sweep away

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sweep away (third-person singular simple present sweeps away, present participle sweeping away, simple past and past participle swept away)

1. (transitive) To remove something by, or as if by, sweeping.
   • 1949 January and February, “Notes and News: Damage to Branch Lines”, in Railway Magazine, page 64:

     Bridges were swept away or damaged on the Gifford and Lauder branches, both of which were closed to passengers several years ago, but remained open for goods traffic.

   • 1960 February, “Talking of Trains: S.R. coach slaughter”, in Trains Illustrated, page 73:

     A general withdrawal order has been issued for most types over 30 years old, writes R. P. Walford, sweeping away much of the early Maunsell stock that was the pride of the newly-formed S.R., [...].

   • 2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 57:

     Bradford once boasted two stations with overall roofs. The pair were swept away in the 1970s in an act of corporate and civic vandalism.

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To overwhelm someone emotionally; sweep someone off their feet.
   • 1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 234:

     Balaam was swept away with admiration of the Israelite encampments and homes that were a picture of idyllic happiness and prosperity.

   • 2024 November 27, Paul Bigland, “Around the UK on nearly 80 trains...”, in RAIL, number 1023, page 48:

     When a six-car Class 158 lash-up arrives at Platform 17, I have to take refuge behind a post to avoid getting swept away by a tsunami of disembarking passengers.

3. (idiomatic, transitive) to completely destroy, to annihilate
   • 2004 June 3, Leslie Feinberg, “Rise of German Homosexual Emancipation Movement”, in Workers World‎^[1]:

     The widespread, murderous counter-revolutionary pogroms against women, transgender expression and same-sex love carried out by the Catholic and early Protestant hierarchies had subsided as the Industrial Revolution began sweeping away the kingdoms of Europe.

   • 2011 February 5, Chris Whyatt, “Wolverhampton 2 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC‎^[2]:

     Instant drama ensued as Wolves appealed for a penalty as Brazilian right-back Rafael swept away any danger from Jarvis with his upper body after 40 seconds.

• “sweep something away”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.