I. transitive verb
1. : to make in clear profit : net
by selling when prices rose he cleaned up a small fortune
2. archaic : to catch and collect (grains of valuable mineral) from an accumulation in a sluice or stamping mill
3.
a. : to strip or empty of the whole of the contents or supply
taught to clean up his plate
b. : to extinguish or eliminate remaining enemy resistance from
marines sent to clean up the atoll
c. : to sweep clean (as of political corruption or organized vice)
a reform administration pledged to clean up the city
: root out as a social evil
helped the district attorney clean up the rackets
: rid of debasing or harmful features or elements
demand for cleaning up the movies
4.
a. : to free from a state of ruin or disorder : rid of accumulated debris
a section cleaned up of bomb damage
b. : to make final disposal of : settle
clean up pending cases
clean up past-due bills
c. : to free from defects of performance : eliminate any remaining faults from
clean up the stage business in early rehearsals
intransitive verb
1. : to wash up, change or arrange one's clothes, and tidy oneself
clean up for dinner
2. : to make a spectacular or sensational profit in a business enterprise or a killing in speculation or gambling
3. slang : to inflict a severe thrashing or decisive defeat — used with on
a chance to clean up on his critics
4. : to make a sweep of wins
to clean up in a series of yacht races
II. transitive verb
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- clean up one's act