sweep

English translation: round of calls

15:30 Nov 24, 2008

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: sweep

The scene takes place at a parcel service warehouse. An employee sorts packages. His boss approaches. The employee picks up the scanner which shorts out and smokes.

Boss: Unbelievable. Two in one week. Your sweep's leaving. Get on it, or get another gig.

How do you understand "your sweep is leaving" ?

tioupine KudoZ activity Questions: 134 (7 open) (2 without valid answers) (9 closed without grading) Answers: 0
Local time: 00:15

Selected answer:round of calls

Explanation:
Based on the site mentioned below, the person being addressed here works as a courier for a parcel delivery service. In this context, a 'sweep' would be a round through a building or some other defined route to pick up and drop off parcels. Groups of couriers probably leave at defined times, so 'your sweep's leaving' means 'your group is leaving now'.

ref:

Joseph's now in his uniform, which is really just a rugby shirt with a "Bicoastal Parcel" patch on it.
...

He's interrupted by Yelly Boss... "Late again and you're making personal calls?" says the boss, snatching Joseph's phone. He flips through the photos and asks if Joseph is stalking this girl. Joseph takes the phone back and tries to go back to work, but his electronic tablet tracker thingy starts smoking, which is apparently the second time this week. "Your sweep's leaving, Meegar. Get on it, or get another gig," says the boss...
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/fringe/power_hungr...

Selected response from:

Ken Cox
Local time: 00:15

Grading comment

3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +2

your Backup

Gary D

3 +3

round of calls

Ken Cox

3 +1

touch

emanuela.v

get on your broom and fly away

Jonathan MacKerron

Answers

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

touch

Explanation:
I think it means the employee has "lost the touch", infact he breaks things.
it's just an idea, accrding to the general sense of the sentence
I hope this helps you

emanuela.v
Italy
Local time: 00:15
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Italian
PRO pts in category: 4

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

round of calls

Ken Cox
Local time: 00:15
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 27

3 hrs confidence:

get on your broom and fly away

Explanation:
as would a witch

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 37

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

your Backup

Explanation:
The sweep is a sporting term for a back up. If you make a mistake there is some back up called the sweep who covers up your mistake.

In this case he is saying you have very little to back you up left, so if you make any more mistakes you will be on your own and you will have to find another job.
http://www.webindia123.com/Sports/cricket/fielding.htm
Sweeper
This is the fielding position in the deep outfield near the boundary used when the fielding side wants to keep the runs to the bare minimum.

http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2006061407225...
4
Protect the goal. A sweeper is the last defender before the ball reaches the goalkeeper. Therefore, a sweeper must "sweep" the ball away from the goal. For example, if an opposing player dribbles toward the goal on the left side and passes all of the other defensive players, it is the sweeper's responsibility to stop the ball before the player has an opportunity to take a shot.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2088781_play-sweeper-soccer.html

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Note added at 17 hrs (2008-11-25 08:48:12 GMT)
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Just to let you all know, My answer here is incorrect and Kens is correct. When you do a sweep around your parcel run means you sweep around and do all your pickups and deliveries. There are so many uses for "sweep" like; Do a sweep to clear the path, when you fire a volley of shots in a semi circle, Common military term.
I left my answer here just for additional information.

Gary D
Local time: 08:15
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 18

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