wipe up

To remove spilled liquid, food, or dirt with a cloth or something similar.

• Please wipe up the milk.
• He wiped up the coffee with a towel.
• Have you wiped up everything you spilled?

How to use it: wipe something up (She wiped it up with a paper towel.)

Similar words: mop up, clean up

Common phrases: wipe up spilled milk, wipe up the mess, wipe up something

To clean a surface thoroughly by rubbing it with a cloth.

• Wipe up the table, please.
• She wiped up the counter before cooking.
• I always wipe up the worktop after making bread.

How to use it: wipe something up (He wiped the kitchen counter up with a damp cloth.)

Similar words: wipe, clean

Common phrases: wipe up the counter, wipe up the table, wipe up something

To dry washed plates, cups, and other kitchen things with a cloth.

• I will wash; you wipe up.
• She wiped up the dishes after lunch.
• Have you wiped up all the glasses?

How to use it: wipe something up (Please wipe the plates up with a clean towel.)

Similar words: dry, dry up

Common phrases: wipe up the dishes, wipe up after dinner, wipe up with someone

To beat another person or team by a large amount.

• We wiped up their team.
• The champions wiped up every opponent they faced.
• Our coach expects us to wipe up the opposition.

How to use it: wipe up someone/something (The visitors wiped up the home team.)

Similar words: crush, trounce, thrash

Common phrases: wipe up another team, wipe up the opposition, wipe up an opponent