hoover up

present singular third person hoovers up · participle present hoovering up · participle past hoovered up · past hoovered up

1. informaltransitiveTo suck (something) into a vacuum cleaner, irrespective of brand.

   Don't worry about the mess on the carpet – I'll hoover it up later.

   Synonyms: vacuum up

2. informalintransitiveTo do the vacuuming.

   I'll hoover up after I've finished washing the dishes.

   Synonyms: hoover, vacuum up

3. figurativelyinformaltransitiveTo avidly absorb or consume (something), as if by a vacuum cleaner.

   […] a deputy governor of China’s central bank pointed out that China no longer hoovers up dollar reserves with its past abandon.

   2012 October 20, “The rise of the yuan: Turning from green to red”, in The Economist

   3 more examples

   Essentially, the problem dates back to pre-privatisation, cost-driven British Rail practices which featured an unholy pact between management and unions, whereby management was able to employ fewer drivers and limited pension cost liabilities, while drivers were able to hoover up lots of lucrative Sunday overtime.

   2022 November 16, Nigel Harris, “Endless news... little context”, in RAIL, number 970, page 3

   With Jones and Botterman hoovering up penalties at the breakdown, Ward and Maud Muir putting the brakes on France's rolling maul and Cokyane waving off her opposite number after getting the better of a scrum, England were winning plenty of battles.

   2025 September 20, Mike Henson, “Kildunne stars as England see off France to make final”, in BBC Sport

   After a wait more interminable than most spells in an A&E reception area, medical-drama-of-the-moment The Pitt finally made it on to UK screens last month, via the arrival of streaming service HBO Max, and just about everyone I know has spent the following weeks hoovering it up.

   2026 April 18, Gwilym Mumford, “The Guide #239: Two successful seasons in, The Pitt has resuscitated the medical drama”, in The Guardian

   1. figurativelyinformaltransitiveTo consume (food or drink) quickly, especially by taking it into the mouth directly from the plate rather than using cutlery.

      Synonyms: bolt, scarf down, wolf down