# clean up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/clean-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.

## Examples

- You should clean up before your date arrives.
- He had to clean up for the wedding, so he finally wore a suit.
- Despite his usual disheveled appearance, he managed to clean up quite nicely for the formal awards ceremony.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.