hoover
slang To vacuum. An allusion to the Hoover brand of vacuums, though used generically. We'd better hoover the house before our guests arrive. Sorry, I was hoovering and didn't hear the phone ring. I know, the kids spilled cereal on the floor in there. I was just about to hoover it up.
hoover up
1. Literally, to use a vacuum cleaner on something; to suck up something using a vacuum cleaner. An allusion to the Hoover brand of vacuums, though used generically. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hoover" and "up." Primarily heard in UK. We'd better hoover up the house before our guests arrive. I need to hoover this glass up or someone might get hurt! I know, the kids spilled cereal on the floor in there. I was just about to hoover it up.
2. To eat or drink something with great speed and voracity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hoover" and "up." Primarily heard in UK. I'm so hungry, I'm going to hoover up everything I can lay my hands on at the restaurant! I've never seen anyone hoover vegetables up the way you do. They're kids—put chicken fingers and fries in front of them, and they'll hoover it right up.
3. To absorb or consume something with great enthusiasm, intensity, or eagerness. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hoover" and "up." Primarily heard in UK. The teacher was brilliant at finding ways to encourage her students to hoover their studies up. My son hoovers any new technological gadget up. How do you hoover up these fantasy shows? I can hardly get through one episode!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.