clean up
/kliːn ʌp/
Meaning
This phrasal verb means to make a person, place, or thing clean and neat by removing dirt, trash, or mess. It is very common in household contexts and can be used transitively or intransitively.
Examples
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We need to clean up the kitchen before the guests arrive.
We need to clean up the kitchen before the guests arrive.
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Can you help me clean up this mess in the living room?
Can you help me clean up this mess in the living room?
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He spent the whole afternoon cleaning up his backyard.
He spent the whole afternoon cleaning up his backyard.
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Make sure to clean up after yourself when you finish cooking.
Make sure to clean up after yourself when you finish cooking.
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The kids promised to clean up their toys before bedtime.
The kids promised to clean up their toys before bedtime.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I need to clean up my teeth.
✓ I need to brush my teeth.
We use 'clean up' for spaces, environments, or general messes, not for personal hygiene like teeth or hair.
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✗ She cleaned out the table after dinner.
✓ She cleaned up the table after dinner.
'Clean out' means to empty the inside of something like a closet. To make a surface or table tidy, use 'clean up' or 'clear'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Please ___ your bedroom; there are clothes all over the floor.
💡 Two words meaning to make a messy area neat.
Show answer
clean up
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It takes a long time to ___ after a big party.
💡 Phrasal verb for tidying up a space.
Show answer
clean up