tidy up
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle up
Meanings
Make a place neat by putting things in order
Why “up”? Filling to the top. Reaching the upper limit means finishing.
“Maya tidied up the living room before bed.”
“Please tidy up the kitchen before guests arrive.”
“Could you tidy up after the kids?”
“Leo tidied up the seaside hotel room before they left.”
Improve your own appearance by smartening yourself
Why “up”? Something is made neater, better-looking, more impressive, or more appealing.
“Maya tidied up in the bathroom before breakfast.”
“He went to the bathroom to tidy up.”
“Before going out, Maya tidied up her hair while Leo checked the club address.”
Finish off a task by sorting out remaining details
“I'll tidy up the report tomorrow.”
“She tidied up the budget before sending it.”
“We stayed late to tidy up a few details before the launch.”
Don't confuse with
Tidy up means make a place neat by putting things in order. Tidy away means put things back where they belong.
Test yourself
“Maya tidied up the living room before bed.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
tidy away
A contrast learners often mix up
Put things back where they belong
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
build up
Same up pattern: making better
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
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
clean up
Same up pattern: finishing
Tidy thoroughly
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
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