first house-cleaning of the year; first sweeping
A traditional New Year's custom performed on January 2nd. The term is rare in modern everyday conversation but may appear in seasonal or cultural contexts.
正月二日には掃き初めをする家もある。
Some households do the first sweeping of the year on January 2nd.
Compound of 掃き (haki, 'sweeping', continuative form of 掃く) and 初め (zome, 'first', rendaku form of 初め). The term follows a pattern of New Year's 'first' activities.