hoover up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘hoover up’ mean?
The idiom "hoover up" means to consume or gather something quickly and thoroughly. It is often used to describe someone who eats or drinks a large amount of food or a person who collects or acquires something in a rapid and efficient manner.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "suck down" means to consume something quickly or with enthusiasm, often referring to drinks or food. It is a colloquial expression used to describe the act of drinking or eating something in a hearty or eager manner.
The idiom "lap up" means to enthusiastically accept or enjoy something, often without much thought or consideration. It is similar to eagerly drinking up or accepting something without hesitation.
The idiom *hutch up* means to crowd together or squeeze into a small space. It is often used to describe a group of people or animals gathering closely together in a confined area.
Idiom: hop up
Meaning: To consume or ingest a stimulant, typically referring to drugs, caffeine, or alcohol.
The idiom "grab and go" means to quickly take or pick up something and immediately leave. It implies a sense of efficiency and urgency, often used in the context of taking food or drinks from a place without sitting down to eat.
The idiom "get one's fill" means to have enough of something or to satisfy one's desire or appetite for something, usually to the point of feeling full or content.
The idiom "gather way" means to gain momentum or make progress. It is often used to describe a person or group becoming more successful or making significant strides in their endeavors.
When used as an idiom, "fill up" means to completely occupy or use the available capacity of something, such as a container, a room, or a schedule. It implies reaching the maximum limit or making something full. This term can be used literally or figuratively, depending on the context.
The idiom "fill one's face" means to eat a large amount of food quickly and greedily.
"Eat someone out of house and home" means to consume all of someone's food and resources, usually in large quantities. It is used to describe someone who eats voraciously and excessively, causing a significant strain on the household's supplies and finances.
The Sucking Power of Success
Hoover up is an idiomatic expression with a distinct meaning and usage in American English. The phrase comes from the well-known American vacuum cleaner brand, Hoover. It is commonly used to describe consuming or collecting something rapidly and voraciously, often in a thorough or exhaustive manner.
The idiom emphasizes efficiency and completeness. When someone "hoovers up" something, they do it in a way that leaves no trace or remnants behind. This suggests a level of thoroughness or meticulousness in gathering or consuming whatever is at hand.
The idiom can be applied in various contexts, both literal and figurative. Literally, it can describe a person or animal quickly and eagerly devouring food. It can also describe the rapid and efficient cleaning or tidying up of a space or area.
In a literal sense, "hoover up" can be compared to the idiom "chow down." Both phrases convey the idea of consuming food quickly and voraciously. While "chow down" focuses on the act of eating, "hoover up" implies a sense of thoroughness and leaving no remnants behind.
Similarly, the idiom "suck down" shares a similar meaning with "hoover up." Both idioms convey the idea of consuming or drinking something rapidly. However, "suck down" may have a slightly stronger emphasis on the speed and force of the action, while "hoover up" emphasizes the efficiency and thoroughness.
Figuratively, "hoover up" can be used to describe acquiring or accumulating information, knowledge, or resources in a rapid and efficient manner. For instance, one might say that a student "hoovered up" all the information in a textbook before an exam, indicating their ability to quickly and comprehensively absorb the material.
In a figurative sense, "hoover up" can be related to the idiom "buy up." Both phrases suggest the act of acquiring or accumulating something, whether it's knowledge or resources. While "buy up" focuses on the act of purchasing, "hoover up" emphasizes the efficiency and thoroughness in the process of acquisition.
However, it's important to note that the idiom "hoover up" can also have a negative or disapproving connotation. When applied to people or entities thought to be consuming or accumulating resources excessively or greedily, it conveys a sense of voraciousness or a lack of consideration for others. In such cases, it is important to consider the implications and context of its usage.
The etymology of "hoover up" can be traced back to the early 20th century when the Hoover vacuum cleaner gained popularity in the United States. The brand's reputation for powerful suction and thorough cleaning likely contributed to the association between the idiom and efficiency in consumption or collection.
The idiom "hoover up" has a specific meaning in American English. It describes the rapid and efficient consumption, collection, or acquisition of something, often with a sense of thoroughness. Whether used literally or figuratively, the idiom conveys an image of swift and voracious action, leaving no trace behind. While its origin can be linked to the Hoover vacuum cleaner, it has now become firmly embedded in the English language.
Example usage
1. After the party, I had to hoover up all the crumbs and spilled drinks from the carpet.
2. The vacuum cleaner hoovered up all the dirt and dust from the floor.
3. The student quickly hoovered up all the information in the textbook before the exam.
More "Verbs" idioms
