tidy up
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- put (things or places) in order
- Tidy up your room!