# tidy up

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tidy-up
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to make a room or area look neat by putting things back where they belong.

For teachers: to organize or clean a space by removing clutter and returning items to their designated locations; often used intransitively or with a direct object.

## Examples

- I need to tidy up the living room before the guests arrive.
- After the children finished playing with their blocks, they spent ten minutes tidying up the playroom.
- The staff worked tirelessly to tidy up the exhibition hall following the chaotic conclusion of the trade fair.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I tidied up it." but "I tidied it up." — when using a pronoun like 'it', the pronoun must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- can be used with or without a direct object; when used with an object, it is separable.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'clean', which implies removing dirt or dust; 'tidy up' focuses specifically on organization and the removal of clutter.

---

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.