1
general::
Phrase(s): clean someone or something up
to get someone or something clean. • Please go into the bathroom and clean yourself up. • I’ll clean up the kids before we leave for dinner. • Can you clean this place up a little?, Phrase(s): clean up (on something)
Fig. to make a lot of money on something. • The promoters cleaned up on the product. • If we get this invention to market soon, we can clean up.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Also, clean out. Make clean or orderly, as in She cleaned up the cellar after the flood, or Dad said he cleaned out the garage. [First half of 1800s] 2. Also, wash up. Wash or tidy oneself, as in Do I have time to clean up before dinner? 3. Settle or dispose of, as in He cleaned up all the bills that had arrived during his vacation. 4. Bring to a certain standard of order or morality, as in This script won't do; we'll have to clean up the language. Applied to personal behavior, it Also is put as clean up one's act, as in He'll have to clean up his act and obey the rules. [c. 1900] 5. Succeed, especially financially, as in We had fantastic luck at the races and really cleaned up. [Slang; first half of 1800s] 6. Also, clean up on. Defeat or vanquish, kill, as in We're cleaning up all the other teams, or With enough ammunition we could clean up on this pocket of snipers. [Slang; mid-1800s]
American Heritage Idioms