Definition

1. Noun:

   • A swift, sudden descent through the air: A rapid downward or forward movement, typically made by a bird or aircraft.
   • A sudden, swift attack or raid: A very rapid and aggressive action to seize or attack something.
   • (Music) A rapid slide up or down the musical scale: A quick glissando between notes.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To move rapidly downward or forward through the air: To descend or attack suddenly with a sweeping motion.
   • To make a sudden, aggressive advance or attack: To act swiftly and decisively to seize an opportunity or target.

3. Verb (transitive):

   • To seize or take something with a sudden, sweeping motion: To catch or grab something swiftly.
   • To move something in a sweeping arc: To carry or convey with a swooping motion.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The eagle's swoop was so fast the rabbit didn't have time to react.
  • The police made a dawn swoop on the suspected hideout.
  • The singer's vocal swoop from a high note to a low one was impressive.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • Watch the falcon swoop down from the cliff.
  • The fighter jets swooped low over the valley.

• Verb (transitive):

  • The mother swooped the toddler into her arms before he could run into the street.
  • The goalkeeper swooped the ball out of the air.

Advanced Usage

• "In/at one fell swoop": All at once; in a single, swift action.
  • The new manager fired three employees in one fell swoop.
• "Swoop and squat": A type of insurance fraud where a car suddenly brakes (squats) in front of another, causing a rear-end collision, often preceded by a car cutting off the victim (swooping).
  • Drivers should be aware of the "swoop and squat" scam on busy highways.

Variants and Related Words

• Swooper (n): One who or that which swoops.
  • The peregrine falcon is a masterful swooper.
• Swoopy (adj): Having a sweeping, curved, or undulating shape or motion.
  • The car had a sleek, swoopy design.

Synonyms

• Noun (descent): Dive, plunge, descent, pounce.
• Noun (raid): Raid, strike, blitz, foray.
• Verb: Dive, plunge, pounce, descend, sweep.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Swoop down on/upon: To descend rapidly and attack or descend upon.
  • The owl swooped down on the mouse.
  • Reporters swooped down on the celebrity as soon as she left the courthouse.
• Swoop in: To arrive or enter suddenly and decisively, often to take control or seize an opportunity.
  • A rival company swooped in and made a better offer for the property.
• Swoop up: To lift or gather something quickly with a sweeping motion.
  • She swooped up her papers before the wind could blow them away.

Related Idioms

• One fell swoop: (See "Advanced Usage" above).
• Swoop the pot: (In poker) To win all the chips in the pot.
  • With a royal flush, he was able to swoop the pot.

Noun

1. a swift descent through the air
2. a very rapid raid
3. (music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
   • the violinist was indulgent with his swoops and slides

Verb

1. seize or catch with a swooping motion
2. move with a sweep, or in a swooping arc
3. move down on as if in an attack
   • The raptor swooped down on its prey
   • The teacher swooped down upon the new students