What are the definitions of “clean up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Tidy and clean.
CLEAN this bedroom UP; it's a disgrace.
- 2Profit, sometimes suddenly.
At the horse races yesterday we really CLEANED UP.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “clean up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb clean up is to tidy and clean a place or area. It means making a place neat and organized by removing dirt, clutter, or mess. For example, it can mean cleaning a room, organizing a desk, or washing dishes.
What are the different verb forms of “clean up”?
| Root Verb | clean up |
| Third Person Singular Present | cleans up |
| Present Participle | cleaning up |
| Simple Past | cleaned up |
| Past Participle | cleaned up |
Example
Please clean up your room before your friends come over.
Example
She cleans up the kitchen after dinner every night.
Example
He is cleaning up the living room before the guests arrive.
Example
Yesterday, they cleaned up the park after the event.
Example
The mess has been cleaned up and everything is back to normal.
What kind of phrasal verb is “clean up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“clean up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She cleaned up the mess on the floor.
Example
He cleaned the room up before leaving.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“clean up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She cleaned up the mess on the floor.
Example
He cleaned the room up before leaving.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “clean up”?
Good things to know
Does “clean up” have an informal or formal tone?
Clean up is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, it can be used when discussing household chores or workplace tasks.
