mop up
Clean up a wet mess, or finish off the last few remaining problems after a big task is done.
Meanings
To clean up a spill or wet mess by absorbing or wiping the liquid away.
"The toddler knocked over his juice and she quickly mopped it up with a cloth."
(Military/figurative) To deal with or eliminate the last remaining pockets of resistance, enemy forces, or problems after the main battle or effort is over.
"After the main campaign ended, soldiers spent weeks mopping up isolated groups of fighters in the mountains."
"The battle for the city was over, but there was still some mopping up to do in the outer districts."
— The Guardian, reporting on the Gulf War, 1991
To deal with the last remaining tasks, details, or loose ends after the main work has been done.
"The project is nearly finished — we just need to mop up a few outstanding issues before we submit."
To absorb or acquire something in large quantities, especially money, resources, or market share.
"The new streaming service mopped up most of the advertising revenue that smaller channels relied on."
Has both a literal sense (cleaning liquid) and several figurative senses common in military, business, and sporting contexts. The military sense — eliminating remaining enemy forces after a main battle — is well established. Also used in economics to describe absorbing surplus.
Commonly used with
Forms
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