Cool MateOverlook vs You can't sweep that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Overlook
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
You can't sweep that
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: OverlookMost common: Overlook
| Overlook | You can't sweep that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌəʊvərˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ kɑːnt swiːp ðæt//🇺🇸 //jʊ kænt swiːp ðæt// |
| Meaning | To not notice something or to ignore it. | You cannot ignore or avoid that issue. |
| Example | From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance. | You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | completely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlooked, completely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlooked | sweep under the rug, sweep aside concerns, sweep away issues |
| Antonyms | notice, acknowledge, spot | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Overlook' used as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'overlook' with 'oversee', which means to supervise., Using 'overlook' with an incorrect preposition (e.g. 'overlook at something'). | Confused about the context; might use in formal situations., Misunderstands the meaning; thinks it literally refers to cleaning. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used when referring to missed details or ignoring responsibilities. Appropriate in both written and spoken English. Generally not used in very formal contexts. | Used in casual conversations to indicate that something must be acknowledged or dealt with. It’s often said when someone tries to overlook a problem. |
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Frequently asked questions: Overlook vs You can't sweep that
What's the difference between Overlook and You can't sweep that?
Overlook: To not notice something or to ignore it. You can't sweep that: You cannot ignore or avoid that issue.
Which is more formal: Overlook and You can't sweep that?
Overlook is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Overlook and You can't sweep that?
Overlook is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Overlook: From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance. You can't sweep that: You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem.
Can I use Overlook and You can't sweep that interchangeably?
Not always. Overlook and You can't sweep that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.