The phrase "clean sweeps" refers to a decisive victory in which all opposing teams or players are completely defeated without a single loss. In terms of spelling, "clean" is pronounced /kliːn/ with the "ea" representing the long vowel sound of 'ee'. "Sweeps" is pronounced /swiːps/ with the "ee" again representing a long vowel sound. The plural form is 'sweeps', as there is no need to add -es as 'sweep' already ends in a sound representing the letter 's'.
Clean sweep is a metaphorical term that originated in sports but has since been adopted into everyday language. It refers to a complete and thorough victory or success, where one party or team achieves a total domination over its opponents without any resistance or opposition. The analogy behind the term comes from the idea of sweeping away any remaining obstacles or opponents, leaving no trace of their presence.
In sports, clean sweeps occur when a team or individual wins every single event or match in a series, tournament, or competition, without conceding any losses. This term is commonly used in sports like cricket, tennis, and soccer, where a series of matches or games are played. The idea is that the winning side has "swept clean" the competition, leaving no opponents standing.
In a broader context, beyond the realm of sports, clean sweeps can refer to any situation where someone achieves a comprehensive victory or accomplishment, often without encountering any significant opposition. For example, in politics, it can describe an electoral victory where the winning party secures all available seats or achieves a landslide victory. In business, it may depict a situation where a company dominates the market, surpassing its competitors in all aspects, including sales, market share, and profitability.
Overall, clean sweeps describe a complete and resounding triumph, where success is achieved across the board, wiping out any traces of opposition or competition. The expression conveys the notion of a thorough and decisive victory in various contexts, highlighting the extent of dominance and accomplishment.
The term "clean sweep" originated in the sport of curling, which is a game played on ice involving teams sliding stones towards a target. In curling, the players use brooms to sweep the ice ahead of the stone, which can affect its speed, direction, and trajectory.
The word "clean" in "clean sweep" refers to the action of sweeping the ice clean, removing any debris or obstacles in the stone's path which could alter its course. Additionally, the act of sweeping also creates a smooth and polished surface, allowing the stone to slide across the ice more efficiently.
The term "clean sweep" then began to be used metaphorically in other contexts outside of curling. It came to refer to a situation where someone or something achieves a total and comprehensive victory, leaving no opposition or obstacles behind, just like a clean and clear path on the ice after thorough sweeping.