clean up

To remove dirt or put things in their proper places.

• Please clean up your room.
• We cleaned up the beach yesterday.
• Who will clean up after dinner?

How to use it: clean something up (Please clean the kitchen up.); clean up after someone/something (We cleaned up after the party.)

Similar words: tidy up, clean

Opposites: mess up

Common phrases: clean up a mess, clean up the kitchen, clean up after someone

To remove dishonest, harmful, or unacceptable behavior from something.

• He needs to clean up his act.
• The new chief cleaned up the police force.
• Can we clean up the language in this script?

How to use it: clean something up (The mayor promised to clean the department up.)

Similar words: reform, improve

Common phrases: clean up politics, clean up your act, clean up the industry

To wash and dress so that you look attractive or smart.

• You clean up well!
• He cleaned up nicely for the wedding.
• After a shower and a shave, she really cleaned up well.

Similar words: smarten up

Common phrases: clean up well, clean up nicely

To win a lot of money, make a large profit, or win easily.

• She cleaned up at poker.
• The shop cleaned up during the festival.
• Our team cleaned up at the awards ceremony.

Similar words: win big, make a fortune

Common phrases: clean up at poker, clean up financially

In a game, to easily kill players weakened by fighting each other.

• Let them fight, then clean up.
• She cleaned up both players after their duel.
• He hid nearby and cleaned up the wounded winner.

How to use it: clean someone up (Wait until they fight, then clean them up.)

Similar words: finish off

Common phrases: clean up weakened players, clean up both enemies