Definition

Verb: - To make a place or a collection of things neat and organized by cleaning or arranging them. It implies a process of removing clutter and putting items in their proper places.

Usage

The verb "tidy up" is used to describe the action of cleaning and organizing a space that is messy or disorganized. It is often used as an instruction or a description of a completed task. It is a phrasal verb where "up" adds a sense of completion to the action.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • Could you please tidy up the kitchen after dinner?
  • She spent the morning tidying up her desk.
  • I need to tidy up before the guests arrive.

Advanced Usage

• "tidy up after (someone)": To clean a mess that another person has made.
  • Parents often have to tidy up after their young children.
• "tidy something up": The phrasal verb can take a direct object, which can be placed between "tidy" and "up" or after "up".
  • He tidied the living room up quickly. (Object between)
  • He tidied up the living room quickly. (Object after)

Variants and Related Words

• Tidy (verb): Can be used similarly, though "tidy up" often emphasizes the process more.
  • Tidy your room.
• Tidy (adjective): Neat and in good order.
  • a tidy room
• Tidiness (noun): The quality or state of being tidy.
  • She is known for her tidiness.

Synonyms

• Clean up: Often used interchangeably, though "clean up" can imply more washing/scrubbing.
• Straighten up: To make neat by arranging things properly.
• Neaten: To make neat.
• Put in order: A more formal phrase with a similar meaning.

Phrasal Verbs

• Tidy away (British English): To put things back in their proper storage place.
  • Please tidy away your toys when you're finished playing.

Related Idioms

• "Tidy sum": This idiom uses "tidy" as an adjective meaning "considerable." It is unrelated to the phrasal verb "tidy up" but is a common expression.
  • He sold the car for a tidy sum.

Verb

1. put (things or places) in order
   • Tidy up your room!