sweep back

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sweep back

To push, brush, or clear something back and away (from something) very lightly and quickly with or as with one's hand. A noun or pronoun can be used between "sweep" and "back." I need to get my hair cut. I hate having to constantly sweep my hair back from my face. He swept back the curtains to let in the brilliant morning light. She swept back the dirt and debris so she could read the inscription on the ancient tomb.
See also: back, sweep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sweep something back

to push or move something backward in the shape of a curve. He took the brush and swept his hair back in a huge wave. She swept back her hair in a striking arrangement.
See also: back, sweep
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
Because the blades on the Dead Ringer are swept back in flight, the point will contact first giving the head the same entry as a fixed blade head with a Trocar point.
In its latest guise, the 2008 Focus range shares the same "kinetic design" appearance of the latest Mondeo with trapezoidal grilles, swept back headlamps, bold wheel arches, newly shaped rear glass, a contoured tailgate and new tail lamps.
THE extensive front-end makeover includes new wings, bonnet, bumper and deeper grille flanked by four-globe headlamps swept back into the front wings, which help to lift the perceived height of the Forester, plus, larger wheels and some clever design cue changes to the rear.
He had a very thin face and was clean shaven, with black mid-length hair which was swept back.
He is 6ft, thin, handsome with swept back hair which was short at the back and sides.
Dressed in a sleeveless black top and with her hair swept back, Kate, 31, appeared to have put her troubles behind her.
DOUBLE TOP: Dado Prso celebrates his second goal with Michael Ball as Rangers swept back to the top of the SPL table with an emphatic victory over Hibernian at ibrox yesterday; JOB WELL DONE: Barry Ferguson is substituted seven minutes from the end
An RAF helicopter and two lifeguard crews were scrambled but then the man, swimming in the dark, was swept back to shore.
DiCaprio - with swept back hair and a goatee beard - described his reception as ``surreal'' at London's Leicester Square.
THOUGH formal evening apparel for men appears to be more timeless, the wide skirts and swept back hairstyles of the women in this picture are clues to the fact that it was taken in the 1950s.
He had a moustache, swept back hair and was wearing a black three-quarter length jacket.
The champions swept back to the top of the table after crushing early pacesetters Hearts 5-2 on Saturday.
The Reds were 3-0 up thanks to Crouch's fine efforts and a header from Luis Garcia, but ended up hanging on to their precious three points to head Group C as Galatasaray swept back with two fine goals of their own from substitute Umit Karan.
Police say he was white, short, slim, in his early 30s, clean shaven, with collar-length light brown hair which was swept back.
Watched by her boyfriend Gavin Dein, the singer confidently sashayed on stage with her hair swept back, dressed in this revealing top and glittering hotpants.