1 A2 neutral
To clean the mess or disorder that another person or animal has left behind.
"I'm tired of always cleaning up after you — put your dishes in the sink!"
inseparable
clean up after
A2 neutral inseparable transitive
To clean the mess left behind by another person or animal.
In plain English
To clean the mess that someone else made.
What does "clean up after" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To clean after (following) someone — doing the cleaning that follows their actions.
Actually means
To clean the mess that someone else made.
Usage tip
The particle 'after' identifies the person or animal who made the mess. Commonly used by parents about children, or pet owners. Often carries a tone of mild frustration or resignation.
Words that pair with "clean up after"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
dog kids children guests yourself others
How to conjugate "clean up after"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clean up after
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cleans up after
he/she/it
Past simple
cleaned up after
yesterday
Past participle
cleaned up after
have + pp
-ing form
cleaning up after
continuous
Hear "clean up after" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clean up after" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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