clean up
The phrase "clean up" can refer to making something tidy, improving appearance, achieving success, or removing unwanted elements, depending on the context.
Definition
A2General
To remove dirt or mess from an area or object.
Example
- Please clean up your room before dinner.
- They spent the afternoon cleaning up the park.
B1Personal Appearance
(informal)To wash and groom oneself to look neat and presentable.
Example
- He cleaned up nicely for the wedding.
- You should clean up before the guests arrive.
B2Financial/Success
(idiomatic)To make a large profit or achieve significant success.
Example
- The company cleaned up during the holiday season.
- She cleaned up at the poker table last night.
B2Improvement
(idiomatic)To remove undesirable elements or corruption from a situation or organization.
Example
- The new mayor promised to clean up the city.
- They cleaned up the corrupted files from the system.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "clean up":
clean up afterclean downclean outmop upclear upclean houseclear outwipe upspring cleaningclean sweepclean feedfix upsweep updeep cleanclear awaydeep cleaningbroom upsweep outscrub outwash upscrub upfinish upcleaning fluidscrub downpolish upclear the deckstouch upstraighten upcleaning shoeclear the neighborhooddust offcome cleanwipe offsort outsquare awaytake out the trashstraighten outspruce upgarbage collectscrape upsweep awayclean slatedo upfreshen uppack uprub outbrush upwrap upwipe out