broom
Noun:
- A cleaning tool: A broom is an implement used for sweeping floors, typically consisting of a bundle of stiff fibers (such as straw, twigs, or synthetic material) attached to a long handle.
- A type of shrub: A broom is any of various shrubs (especially of the genera Cytisus, Genista, or Spartium) characterized by long, slender branches, small leaves, and often bright yellow flowers. It is also known as common heath.
Verb:
- To sweep with a broom: The action of cleaning or clearing a surface by using a broom.
- To finish a task conclusively: (In the phrase "to broom something") To complete something, especially in a decisive or thorough manner.
Noun (Cleaning Tool): She used a broom to sweep the kitchen floor.The old broom had worn-out bristles.
Noun (Shrub): The hillside was covered in yellow flowering broom.Broom is a hardy plant that thrives in poor soil.
Verb (To Sweep): Please broom the porch after the storm.He broomed the broken glass into a dustpan.
Verb (To Finish): The team broomed the project ahead of schedule. (This usage is less common and often context-specific.)
"A new broom sweeps clean": An idiom meaning that a new person in charge (like a new manager) often makes significant changes or reforms. The new CEO is a new broom, implementing policies to improve efficiency.
"To jump the broom": A phrase historically associated with certain wedding ceremonies, symbolizing the start of a new life together. As part of their heritage, the couple chose to jump the broom at their wedding.
Broomstick (n): The long handle of a broom, often associated with folklore and witches. The witch was depicted flying on a broomstick.
Broomcorn (n): A type of sorghum whose stiff branches are used to make brooms. Broomcorn is cultivated specifically for broom-making.
Broomy (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a broom, especially the shrub; long, slender, and twiggy. The landscape had a broomy appearance.
- Besom (n): A traditional broom made of twigs tied to a handle.
- Sweeper (n): A person or device that sweeps; a general term for cleaning tools.
- Whisk (v/n): To sweep or move quickly; a small hand-held broom.
- Broom away/off: To remove something by sweeping.
- Broom out: To clean the inside of a space thoroughly by sweeping.
- "To be born on the wrong side of the broom": An old expression implying illegitimate birth. (Note: This idiom is archaic and rarely used in modern English.)
- "Every broom has its own shadow": A proverb suggesting everyone has flaws or a hidden side.
- common Old World heath represented by many varieties; low evergreen grown widely in the northern hemisphere
- any of various shrubs of the genera Cytisus or Genista or Spartium having long slender branches and racemes of yellow flowers
- a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
- finish with a broom
- sweep with a broom or as if with a broom
- Sweep the crumbs off the table
- Sweep under the bed