swoop down

swoop down

To rush quickly downward in an abrupt sweeping motion. He swooped down and picked up the toddler before she got too close to the steps. I love sitting on the pier, watching the birds swoop down to catch fish.
See also: down, swoop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

swoop down

v.
To make a rush or an attack with or as if with a sudden sweeping movement: An owl swooped down on the rabbit.
See also: down, swoop
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • peep out
  • swoop down on
  • swoop down on (someone or something)
  • make a dive
  • make a dive (for someone or something)
  • peek under
  • peek under (something)
  • peep under
  • peep under (something)
  • only just
References in classic literature
For a moment there would come a lull in the storm, but then it would swoop down again with such onslaughts that it seemed impossible to stand against it.
The moment I came down into the warm atmosphere of Caspak, the creature came for me again, rising above me so that it might swoop down upon me.
"They swoop down on my head and pass really closely.
He likes to swoop down onto the street and his mum and dad look out for him.
"My partner was in the garden putting the washing out at the time and suddenly he saw it swoop down.
She said: "My partner was in the garden putting the washing out at the time and suddenly he saw it swoop down.
They would swoop down on victim, snatch chain or purse and ride away, Mazher said.
During the nesting season, until their chicks are old enough to fly away, they can be an unpleasant presence in urban areas where they may attack anyone who ventures near their beloved offspring, and for unwary holidaymakers they elicit scenes from the horror film The Birds as they swoop down and snatch ice creams or burgers from unwary hands.
'I urge the local government units to proactively enforce our laws and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and work,' he stressed.
The birds regularly swoop down in an attempt to rob people of their takeaway snacks.
With so much of our political and cultural moment steeped in chaos and confusion, Americans everywhere are turning their lonely eyes in search of a savior who will swoop down and redeem us all from this mess.
It was a grand morning for observation but the sky overhead was covered with fleecy clouds which had formed into little pats and made an excellent cover for a plane flying above them to swoop down on the sausages.
Tagum said they started to swoop down on the drug dens in barangays of Kayaga and Purok Krislam in Poblacion in the early hours of Wednesday.
So beware of these avian psychos who swoop down out of the sky, as they're after your tasty chips and a bit of your steak and kidney pie!
Other locals say the birds swoop down on fish and chips and leave the town covered in litter.