1.
clean sweep; wiping out; eradication
Completely removing or eliminating something undesirable, such as corruption, bad habits, or clutter. Implies a thorough and decisive clearing away.
不安を一掃する。
To sweep away one's anxiety.
政府は汚職の一掃を目指している。
The government aims to eradicate corruption.
大掃除で部屋の不用品を一掃して、すっきりした気分になった。
I cleared out all the unnecessary items in my room during the big cleanup and felt refreshed.
USAGE:
一掃 is used as both a noun and a する verb. It emphasizes thoroughness — not just removing something, but eliminating it completely. The target is always something undesirable or unwanted.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不安を一掃する (to sweep away anxiety)
- 汚職を一掃する (to eradicate corruption)
- 疑惑を一掃する (to dispel suspicion)
- 悪習を一掃する (to stamp out bad practices)
CAUTION:
Do not confuse with the adverb 一層 (even more, all the more), which is a completely different word with the same reading.