clean up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Tidy thoroughly
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“Clean up your room.”
“The team cleaned up the park after the fair.”
Don't confuse with
Clean up means tidy thoroughly. Clean out means remove the contents of a place and clean it thoroughly.
Test yourself
“Clean up your room.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
clean out
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove the contents of a place and clean it thoroughly
add up
Same up pattern: finishing
Combine into a larger total; Make sense or seem true
break up
Same up pattern: finishing
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
call up
Same up pattern: finishing
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
clear up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy a place by putting things away; (of weather) become bright and dry after rain or cloud; Resolve a misunderstanding or doubt by explaining it; (of an illness, rash or symptom) disappear or get better; Solve a mystery or unsolved problem
close up
Same up pattern: finishing
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
cut up
Same up pattern: finishing
Cut something into smaller pieces; Make someone deeply upset or distressed; Behave in a wild or noisy way to attract attention; Overtake another driver suddenly and dangerously
do up
Same up pattern: finishing
Fasten a button, zip or buckle; Improve a room or property by repairing or decorating it; Wrap or tie something into a neat package; Style or arrange one's hair or appearance
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