clean up - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

clean up

to make oneself neat or cleanto make oneself neat or clean

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clean up

Third Person

cleans up

Present Participle

cleaning up

Past Tense

cleaned up

Past Participle

cleaned up

1

to make oneself neat or clean

The custodian worked diligently to clean up the spilled coffee in the office breakroom.
After the party, everyone pitched in to clean up the decorations and leftover food.
The environmental activists are urging residents to help clean up local parks and green spaces.
After the party, everyone pitched in to clean the decorations and leftover food up.
It's time to clean your room up – clothes and toys are scattered everywhere.

2

to put things or places in order, often by tidying

After the party, we spent the morning cleaning up the house and putting away the decorations.
The janitorial staff was responsible for cleaning up the school classrooms at the end of each day.
The volunteers joined forces to clean up the park, picking up litter and restoring its cleanliness.
The employees were instructed to clean up their workstations before leaving the office for the day.
The children were taught to clean up their toys after playing to develop good habits of tidiness.

Synonyms:

tidy up tidy neaten square away straighten out straighten

3

to get rid of something, typically in a proper and organized manner

It's important to clean up hazardous waste and dispose of it safely to protect the environment.
The construction crew needed to clean up the construction debris and transport it to the designated disposal site.
The city organized a community event to clean up the neighborhood by collecting and properly disposing of unwanted items.
The volunteers worked together to clean up the beach, removing trash and disposing of it responsibly.
It's essential to clean up old documents containing sensitive information and shred them to maintain privacy and security.

4

to generate substantial financial gains, often exceeding expectations or previous performance

The savvy investor managed to clean up in the stock market by selling at the right time.
The entrepreneur developed a successful business strategy and cleaned up in the competitive market.
The real estate developer cleaned up by buying properties at a low price and selling them for a substantial profit.
The online retailer cleaned up during the holiday season, as their sales skyrocketed.
The artist's work gained recognition, and they cleaned up with high-demand commissions and art sales.