clean up
To make a place clean again after it got dirty or messy.
Meanings
To make a place or space clean and tidy after a mess or activity.
"The kids made a huge mess with the paints, and I spent an hour cleaning up."
To reform one's behavior or lifestyle; to stop engaging in something harmful or dishonest.
"He promised to clean up his act after the arrest and has stayed out of trouble since."
"I had to clean up my act and be responsible."
— Eminem, various interviews discussing his recovery from addiction, widely quoted
To make a large profit or gain, especially quickly or unexpectedly.
"She cleaned up at the casino that night, walking away with over five thousand dollars."
To remove corruption, crime, or wrongdoing from an organization or area.
"The new mayor was elected on a promise to clean up the city's police department."
One of the most common phrasal verbs in English. Used for domestic cleaning, environmental cleanup, and figuratively for corruption or behavior reform. 'Clean up your act' means to start behaving better. In finance/gambling, 'clean up' means to make a large profit.
Commonly used with
Forms
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