To make a place or thing neat and organized by putting things in their correct positions.
To put everything in the right place so a room or area looks neat and organized.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To make a room, space, or area neat and organized by putting things away or in their correct place.
"Can you tidy up your bedroom before dinner, please?"
I throw out everything I don't need and tidy up the rest.
— Paraphrase of core principle in Marie Kondo, 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up', 2011
To improve or finalize something (a document, plan, or situation) by dealing with small remaining problems.
"I just need to tidy up a few loose ends in the report before I send it."
To make something tidy by putting it up/in its right place — transparent.
To put everything in the right place so a room or area looks neat and organized.
Extremely common in British and Australian English everyday speech. Less common in American English, where 'clean up' is often preferred. Used for physical spaces (rooms, desks) and figuratively for work, documents, or situations that need to be made neater or more orderly.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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