Translation guide
The English phrase "clean sweep" has two main uses: a complete victory (winning everything) and a thorough removal or change (getting rid of everything old). This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe winning all available prizes, matches, or positions in a competition or election.
Literally 'complete conquest/domination'. Commonly used in sports and competitions when a team or individual wins all titles or events.
That team achieved a clean sweep this season.
Means 'winning all matches/games'. Used in tournaments or leagues when a competitor wins every single match.
He made a clean sweep at the tournament, winning every match.
Means 'monopoly' or 'exclusive possession'. Used when one entity takes all the top spots, awards, or market share.
The movie made a clean sweep of the awards.
Literally 'licking everything up'. A vivid expression meaning to sweep all prizes or victories, often used in sports and entertainment news.
That athlete made a clean sweep of the gold medals.
Similar to 完全制覇 but slightly less common. Used in contexts like winning all stages of a race or all titles in a series.
He achieved a clean sweep of the tour.
To describe a situation where everything old or unwanted is removed, replaced, or changed completely.
Means 'to renew completely' or 'to make a clean sweep'. Used for reforming systems, replacing staff, or renovating.
The new president made a clean sweep of the management team.
We made a clean sweep of the interior and reopened the store.
Means 'to sweep away' or 'to eliminate completely'. Used for removing corruption, outdated practices, or unwanted elements.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to replace entirely' or 'to swap out everything'. Implies a thorough, sometimes drastic change.
We made a clean sweep of the staff.
Literally 'to pull out by the roots'. Means to eradicate or remove completely, often used for weeds, problems, or unwanted elements.
I made a clean sweep of my bad habits.
Do not translate "clean sweep" literally as きれいな掃除 (kirei na souji) or 掃き掃除 (haki souji). Those mean physical cleaning, not the idiomatic meanings above.
一新 (isshin) focuses on renewal and replacement with something new, while 一掃 (issou) focuses on elimination and removal of something bad. Choose based on whether the emphasis is on bringing in the new or getting rid of the old.
The government promised to make a clean sweep of corruption.