Inklingo

How to Say "clean sweep" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pleno

/PLEH-noh//ˈpleno/

nounC1general
Use this word when referring to achieving perfection or getting everything right in a task, especially in games or competitions.
A bowling ball hitting the center pin and knocking down every single white pin.

Examples

El equipo hizo un pleno en la final, ganando todos los partidos.

The team achieved a clean sweep in the final, winning all the matches.

Hizo un pleno en los bolos.

He got a strike in bowling.

¡Pleno! Acerté todas las preguntas del examen.

Perfect! I got every question on the exam right.

limpia

/leem-pyah//ˈlimpja/

nounB2regional (Mexico)
Use this word, primarily in Mexico, to describe a complete removal or victory, often in a ritualistic or symbolic sense.
A person gently waving a bundle of smoking white sage over another person's head and shoulders during a spiritual cleansing ritual.

Examples

La curandera le hizo una limpia para quitarle el mal de ojo.

The healer performed a clean sweep on him to remove the evil eye.

Necesito una limpia en mi casa para que fluya la energía.

I need a spiritual cleansing in my house so the energy can flow.

Use of 'Limpia' vs. 'Limpieza'

While 'limpieza' is the standard, general word for 'cleaning' (e.g., 'la limpieza de la cocina'), 'limpia' often specifically refers to a spiritual or folkloric cleansing ritual, especially in Latin America.

Pleno vs. Limpia

Learners often confuse 'pleno' and 'limpia' by using 'limpia' outside of its specific ritualistic or regional context. Remember that 'pleno' is for achieving perfection in a task, while 'limpia' has a more specific, often symbolic, meaning.

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