swoop
/swuːp/ (bre, ipa) · [swˈup] /swuːp/ (ame, ipa) · [swˈup] /ˈswüp How to pronounce swoop (audio)/ (ame, mw)
swoop — verb
- swooppresent simple I / you / we / they
- swoopshe / she / it
- swoopedpast simple
- swooping-ing form
1. to fly down in a fast curve from above, usually to hit, catch, or threaten somet
to fly down in a fast curve from above, usually to hit, catch, or threaten something.
A hawk swooped down and snatched the mouse from the grass.
swoop down and attack from above
The rescue helicopter swooped over the cliff and dropped a rope.
swoop over + place
As the drone camera swooped toward the stage, the crowd cheered.
Yumi watched two gulls swoop at the chips by the pier.
- dive
can be straighter and more general; it does not always suggest a broad attacking curve
- plunge
stresses a sudden downward movement, often less controlled than swoop
- sweep down
a descriptive phrase for the same downward movement, usually less vivid
文法句型
swoop
swoop down
swoop down on + noun
swoop over + noun
用法筆記
Often describes birds, aircraft, or other things moving from a higher position toward a target. It commonly appears with down, at, or over, and it usually suggests speed plus a curved path.
常見錯誤
2. to act on a person, place, or chance with very sudden force, especially to seize
to act on a person, place, or chance with very sudden force, especially to seize, arrest, or take control before others can react.
Police swooped on the flat at dawn and arrested four suspects.
news use: swoop on + place
Rival bidders swooped in on the startup before Gita could sign the deal.
swoop in on + opportunity
Tax officers swooped on the warehouse after a tip-off from staff.
A larger chain swooped and bought the empty shop within a day.
文法句型
swoop on + noun
swoop in on + noun
swoop and + verb
用法筆記
Common in news and business writing for fast action that catches people unprepared. Unlike sense 1, the image of flying is often weak or absent; the main idea is sudden, successful action.
常見錯誤
swoop — noun
- swoopsingular
- swoopsplural
1. a quick action in which people suddenly surround a place or seize someone or som
a quick action in which people suddenly surround a place or seize someone or something.
Officers carried out a swoop on several market stalls after midnight.
a swoop on + place
The tax team made a dawn swoop and seized ten boxes of records.
make a swoop
News cameras waited outside the house after the police swoop ended.
Residents woke to the sound of vans before the early-morning swoop.
文法句型
a swoop on + noun
make a swoop
用法筆記
Usually refers to police, officials, or other groups arriving suddenly to arrest people, search a place, or take something. It is more sudden and dramatic than a routine visit.
2. a quick curved drop from above, usually aimed at something lower down.
a quick curved drop from above, usually aimed at something lower down.
The falcon began its swoop as the rabbit reached the open field.
its swoop toward prey
Paloma ducked when the drone made a low swoop above the crowd.
make a low swoop
The camera caught the owl's final swoop before it grabbed the fish.
Children pointed at the jet's sudden swoop toward the runway.
文法句型
begin a swoop
make a swoop
a swoop toward + noun
用法筆記
Most often used for birds, aircraft, or cameras moving downward in one quick curve. Unlike sense 1, this noun names the movement itself, not a raid or arrest.