Meaning trap
clean up
make a large profit
To earn a lot of money, especially in a short time or from a particular event.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To earn a lot of money, especially in a short time or from a particular event.
Another meaning of 'clean up' is 'make clean'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
They really cleaned up at the music festival, selling hundreds of T-shirts.
Some people believe that companies should not be allowed to clean up by raising prices during emergencies, as it can be unfair to customers.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They cleaned up a lot of money.
Say: They cleaned up. / They made a lot of money.
In this sense 'clean up' stands alone (no object) — 'clean up a lot of money' mixes it with the tidying sense.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Clean up' is the casual verb for making a killing; the formal paraphrase loses the buzz.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
clean up (profit)
- absolutely
- on the deal
- at the casino
- really
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- clean up (make clean) — Another meaning of 'clean up' is 'make clean'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.