police up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To clean up an area or an item or person, usually in preparation for an inspection; to police an area for problems.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
We have to police up the grounds before the end of the day.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “police up” mean?
To clean up an area or an item or person, usually in preparation for an inspection; to police an area for problems.
Is “police up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.