tidy up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To make clean, to make satisfactorily neat.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
When the long, hot journey drew to its end and the train slowed down for the last time, there was a stir in Jessamy’s carriage. People began to shake crumbs from their laps and tidy themselves up a little.
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 “tidy up” mean?
To make clean, to make satisfactorily neat.
Is “tidy up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.