Phrasal verb
tidy up
Meanings
To make a room or area neat by putting things away and organizing.
To improve something small or fix minor problems to make it look better or work better.
Definition
To tidy up means to make a place neat and orderly by putting things where they belong.
To tidy up is to clean and organize a space by putting items away and removing mess. It often involves quick organizing rather than deep cleaning, though it can include light cleaning too. People use it for rooms, desks, kitchens, and other areas that look messy.
Examples
- I need to tidy up my desk before the meeting.
- Could you tidy up your room after you finish playing?
- He tidied up his workspace and found the missing cable.
- She tidied up the kitchen while the pasta cooked.
- They tidied up their apartment before their friends came over.
Common mistake
Learners often say "tidy the room" when they mean the phrasal verb; in everyday English, "tidy up the room" is more natural.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.