swoop
B2Informal, descriptive, occasionally journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
To move rapidly downward or forward through the air, often in a smooth, sweeping arc, especially of a bird or aircraft.
To arrive or take action suddenly and decisively, often with authority or to seize something. Also used in sports (e.g., hockey) to describe a player picking up the puck.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb. Conveys speed, suddenness, and a smooth but powerful motion. Often implies an element of surprise, attack, or opportunistic seizure. Can be used literally (birds, aircraft) or metaphorically (police, opportunity).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or core usage. The hockey sense ('to pick up the puck') is more common in North America due to the sport's prominence. The phrase 'in one fell swoop' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations of sudden, dramatic action in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British news reporting (e.g., 'police swoop on a property'), but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
swoop (down) on/upon sth/sbswoop (down) from sthswoop in (to do sth)swoop to victoryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in one fell swoop: doing everything in a single, decisive action.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The investment fund swooped in to buy the struggling company." (Opportunistic acquisition)
Academic
Rare, except in literary or descriptive contexts (e.g., biology describing predator behaviour).
Everyday
"We watched the seagulls swoop down to snatch chips."
Technical
Aviation: A manoeuvre; Hockey: To collect the puck; Ornithology: A hunting dive.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The police swooped on the warehouse at dawn.
- A kestrel swooped down from the cliff face.
American English
- The eagle swooped down to catch the fish.
- The DEA swooped in and made several arrests.
adjective
British English
- The swoop sensor was activated.
- He described the plane's swoop trajectory.
American English
- The drone performed a swoop landing.
- It was a swoop shot in hockey.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bird swooped down to the ground.
- Look! The plane is swooping low!
- The hawk swooped and caught a rabbit.
- The children ran as the seagulls swooped towards their food.
- Police swooped on the suspect's hideout early this morning.
- The company swooped in to buy its main competitor.
- The new administration hopes to solve these issues in one fell swoop with its comprehensive bill.
- Market speculators are waiting to swoop on any undervalued assets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an owl going **SWOOP** — the sound its wings make as it sweeps down on a mouse.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUDDEN ACTION IS A BIRD'S DIVE (e.g., 'The critics swooped on his error').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'лететь' (to fly) generally. For the sudden attack/seizure meaning, 'налететь' or 'совершить налет' is closer. The hockey term is 'подобрать шайбу'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swoop' for any fast movement (it needs a sweeping, arcing quality). Confusing 'swoop' (v) with 'sweep' (v) – a swoop is a specific type of fast, downward sweep.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'in one fell swoop' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's commonly used for birds of prey, but it's widely applied to aircraft, police raids, and any sudden, decisive action that resembles a diving motion.
'Swoop' often includes a horizontal or arcing element in its descent, suggesting grace and control. 'Dive' implies a steeper, more direct descent, often head-first.
Yes, though less common. Example: 'The police made a dawn swoop.' or 'The bird's swoop was incredibly fast.'
Here, 'fell' is an archaic adjective meaning 'fierce, cruel, or dreadful.' The phrase originates from Shakespeare's *Macbeth* and means a single, devastatingly effective action.