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.