clean sth up
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to make a place or a thing tidy and remove any dirt or mess.
phrasal verb. to remove dirt, refuse, or disorder from a specific area or object; often implies a thorough restoration of order.
We need to clean the kitchen up before the guests arrive.
The volunteers spent the entire Saturday morning cleaning up the local park after the music festival.
Environmental agencies are working tirelessly to clean up the coastal regions affected by the recent industrial chemical spill.
commonly used with physical spaces like rooms, parks, or streets.
contrast with 'clean' (the general act) and 'tidy up' (focuses on organization rather than dirt); 'clean up' implies a more complete or intensive effort.
I cleaned up it.I cleaned it up.when the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go between the verb and the particle.
Last updated April 24, 2026