carpet-sweeper

A woman pushes a carpet-sweeper across the living room rug.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for cleaning carpets: "carpet-sweeper" refers to a manual or mechanical appliance designed to sweep dirt, dust, and debris from carpets and rugs. It typically consists of a rotating brush or roller that collects particles into a built-in container.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She used the carpet-sweeper to remove crumbs from the living room rug. (A manual cleaning tool for carpets.)
  • The old-fashioned carpet-sweeper is quieter and more eco-friendly than a vacuum cleaner. (A mechanical device that does not require electricity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to run a carpet-sweeper over something": to clean a carpet or floor quickly with a carpet-sweeper.
  • Before the guests arrived, he ran the carpet-sweeper over the hallway carpet. (He used the device to sweep the carpet.)

Variants and Related Words

• Carpet (n): a floor covering made of thick woven fabric.
  • The carpet in the bedroom is soft and warm. (The floor covering.)
• Sweeper (n): a person or device that cleans by sweeping.
  • The street sweeper cleans the roads every morning. (A cleaning device for roads.)

Synonyms

• Carpet cleaner: a general term for any device or substance used to clean carpets.
• Sweeping machine: a broader term for any mechanical sweeper, not limited to carpets.

Phrasal Verbs

• Sweep up: to collect dirt or debris using a broom, brush, or carpet-sweeper.
  • After the party, she swept up the confetti with the carpet-sweeper. (She cleaned the carpet using the device.)

Related Idioms

• Sweep under the carpet: to hide or ignore a problem instead of dealing with it.
  • The manager tried to sweep the financial issues under the carpet. (He avoided addressing the problems.)