Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
sweep the board en · VERB
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To win all the prizes in a competition.
Spadillio first, unconquerable Lord!
Led off two captive Trumps, and swept the Board.
As many more Manillio forc'd to yield,
And march'd a Victor from the verdant Field.
1714, Alexander Pope, “Canto III”, in The Rape of the Lock (poetry):It’s always fun when something massive comes along and sweeps the board, giving everything else a thoroughly good kicking – think Titanic, The Silence of the Lambs, or Lord of the Rings. There’s a sort of deranged, gluttonous feeling, a perverse glee in seeing so many dreams trampled on by a massive cultural juggernaut.
2015 February 23, “Oscars 2015: 10 things we learned”, in The Guardian (London):
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To take all of the cards.
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(idiomatic) To get enough votes in an election to gain all the seats.
Forms