clean-up

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   An occasion when people remove dirt, rubbish, or unwanted things so that a place becomes tidy or safe.

   Grammar: Use it for one event or the general activity; the plural is clean-ups when events are counted.

   Patterns

   • a clean-up of something
   • do a clean-up
   • a community clean-up

   After the flood, neighbors organized a clean-up of the park.

   The clean-up took three hours because the garage was so full.

2. 2nounsingularsport

   In baseball, the fourth place in the batting order, usually given to a strong hitter expected to bring runners home.

   Grammar: Often used before hitter; it is a position in the order, not a score.

   Patterns

   • the clean-up spot
   • bat clean-up
   • clean-up hitter

   Their best power hitter was moved to the clean-up spot.

   With bases loaded, the clean-up hitter stepped up.

Word forms

Common combinations

community clean-up

The school arranged a community clean-up after the festival.

environmental clean-up

Volunteers joined an environmental clean-up along the river.

clean-up operation

The crew began a clean-up operation at first light.

Synonyms and how they differ

clear-out

A clear-out usually means removing unwanted possessions, while a clean-up can include washing and repairing.

tidy-up

A tidy-up is lighter and quicker; a clean-up suggests a bigger or dirtier job.

Opposites

Word family

clean verb

To remove dirt or make something tidy.

cleanly adverb

In a clean, neat, or clear way.

Commonly confused: clean-up or cleanup?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “clean-up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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