sweep operation

[swip ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃən]
nounpl: sweep operations
operação de varredura
1. A military or law enforcement action that systematically covers and clears an area of enemy forces, criminals, or contraband
The police conducted a sweep operation in the neighborhood to remove gang members.
A polícia realizou uma operação de varredura no bairro para remover membros de gangues.
2. A comprehensive search or inspection of an area or organization to find and eliminate problems, threats, or unwanted elements
The company initiated a sweep operation to identify and remove outdated software.
A empresa iniciou uma operação de varredura para identificar e remover software desatualizado.
3. In military context, a tactical maneuver to clear a defined area systematically from one end to the other
Combat troops performed a sweep operation through the valley to secure the region.
Tropas de combate realizaram uma operação de varredura pelo vale para assegurar a região.
This term is widely used in Brazilian and American law enforcement and military contexts. In Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, sweep operations in favelas (slums) are frequent news topics and are often controversial due to civil rights concerns. In the USA, the term is commonly used by police departments and military units when describing systematic clearance operations. The phrase has become more prevalent in corporate and cybersecurity contexts as well.
NYC Slang
a major cleanup / round-up
Synonyms / Sinônimos
clearance operationmopping updragnetsecurity sweepcordon and search
Antonyms / Antônimos
targeted operationprecision strikeselective removal

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
operação de varredura
Standard term used in military and law enforcement contexts
Rio de Janeiro
operação de limpeza
Common colloquial variant emphasizing the 'cleaning' aspect
São Paulo
operação de varredura / operação de revistoria
Both terms used; revistoria emphasizes thorough search component
Portugal
operação de varredura / operação de vasculho
Similar usage to Brazil; vasculho is more archaic

Related Words

cordonsecurity operationtactical movementreconnaissanceclearancepatrol

Related Idioms & Phrases

conduct a sweep operation
launch a sweep operation
undertake a sweep operation
clean sweep
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