sweep the board

Related to sweep the board: take account, turn up, rub off, pick up on, on the back burner, put on the spot

sweep the board

To win all possible prizes or in all categories in a competition. Primarily heard in UK. Labour is expected to sweep the board in this district. James nearly swept the board at the award show—he took home seven different trophies!
See also: board, sweep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sweep the board

BRITISH
If someone sweeps the board in a competition or election, they win all the prizes or seats. The women's team has been quite outstanding, sweeping the board in swimming, diving, cycling and weight-lifting. The government swept the board in yesterday's first contested National Assembly elections. Note: This expression comes from card games where players place the money they are betting on a board or table. The image is of the winner sweeping his or her arm across the table to collect all the money.
See also: board, sweep
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

sweep the board

win all the money in a gambling game; win all possible prizes or rewards.
See also: board, sweep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

sweep the ˈboard

win all or most of the prizes, games, money, etc: At the awards ceremony last night France swept the board, with six major prizes.
See also: board, sweep
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • mutton
  • one of the boys
  • one of the lads
  • be one of the boys
References in periodicals archive
Pontypridd youngster Gareth Seward defied atrocious conditions to sweep the board in the Glamorgan Junior Championships at Langland Bay last week.
Seward shines
London Film Critics' Circle chairman William Russell said Master and Commander deserved to sweep the board.
No gong for final instalment of the Rings
BOOKMAKER Ladbrokes has closed the book on the Oscars because Chicago is such a strong favourite to sweep the board.
Chicago's a sure bet
It might have taken 30 years to come true but if any film deserves to sweep the board it's The King's Speech.
IT was in 1981 while [...]; VERDICT
BRITS are tipped to sweep the board at this year's big film awards.
Michael Caton
And, with this year's awards barely over, Hollywood is already tipping him to sweep the board next year as he turns his spotlight on slavery in his new film Amistad.
SLAVING FOR SUCCESS; Spielberg's new bid to break free
And despite England's biggest club winning just two trophies in the past six years, the 22-year-old insists they can sweep the board.
TIGERS HUNGRY