Meaning trap
clean up
make clean
To make a place or thing tidy and free from dirt or mess.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To make a place or thing tidy and free from dirt or mess.
Another meaning of 'clean up' is 'make a large profit'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
We need to clean up the kitchen after dinner.
In my opinion, it's important for everyone in the family to help clean up the house because it teaches responsibility.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I'll clean up it later.
Say: I'll clean it up later.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'clean it up'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Clean up' is the everyday verb; 'restore to a clean and tidy condition' is absurdly formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
clean up + mess
- the mess
- after yourself
- the kitchen
- the spill
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- clean up (make a large profit) — Another meaning of 'clean up' is 'make a large profit'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.