An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The opera’s second act begins with a scene showing Anne at home with Susan, using an old-fashioned carpet sweeper.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2020
“I love my carpet sweeper music,” he said.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2020
One of the most popular non-electrical labour-saving devices was the mechanical carpet sweeper, which first went on sale in Britain in 1889.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2018
But should the bedroom tea-maker, the carpet sweeper and the hostess trolley be consigned to the dustbin of history?
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2018
The daily brushing up with broom or carpet sweeper removes the surface dirt, but sweeping day means a good "digging out."
From The Complete Home by Laughlin, Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth)
They have many household conveniences: running water in a barrel, a blue flame oil stove, a bread-mixer, and a carpet-sweeper.
From The American Country Girl by Crow, Martha Foote
The little upholstery tuft-cleaner consumes only one-ninth as much power as the carpet-sweeper.
From Guide to Hotel Housekeeping by Palmer, Mary E.
While her lodgers were at church the tireless Mrs. Schiller was doing a little housecleaning: he could hear the monotonous rasp of a carpet-sweeper passing back and forth in an adjoining room.
From The Haunted Bookshop by Morley, Christopher
Having breakfasted from white dishes placed on a white napkin, she was busy with a carpet-sweeper sweeping up possible crumbs.
From The Dust Flower by Kline, Hibberd V. B. (Hibberd Van Buren)
He says it’s just like a lawn-mower or a carpet-sweeper.
From Maida's Little Shop by Gillmore, Inez Haynes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
