| 词源 |
clean sweep. Though it is often used in sports for the winning of every game in a series, this expression may be of nautical origin. It could refer to a huge wave from a typhoon or the like sweeping everything off the deck of a ship, even permanent structures. It’s possible, however, that a storm or tornado caus- ing the same destruction on land may have suggested the words. A third choice would be someone sweeping out a room or house with a broom. |