2clean verb
cleans; cleaned; clean·ing 1 a : to make (something) clean : to remove dirt, marks, etc., from (something) [+ obj] ▪ The carpet needs to be cleaned. ▪ clean your fingernails ▪ clean [=brush] your teeth ▪ clean [=wash] the windows [no obj] ▪ They divide household duties so that she cleans and her husband cooks. — see also clean up 1a (below)
b [no obj] : to become clean
▪ The pan has a surface that cleans easily. [=that is easy to clean] 2 [+ obj] : to make (something, such as a room) neat and orderly
▪ Clean your room. — see also clean out 1 (below), clean up 1b (below) 3 [+ obj] : to remove the organs from the inside of (an animal) before cooking
▪ They cleaned the fish and cooked them on the campfire. ▪ skin and clean a rabbit/deer
b [no obj] : to become clean
▪ The pan has a surface that cleans easily. [=that is easy to clean]
▪ Clean your room. — see also clean out 1 (below), clean up 1b (below)
▪ They cleaned the fish and cooked them on the campfire. ▪ skin and clean a rabbit/deer
clean house — see 1house
clean out [phrasal verb] 1 clean (something) out or clean out (something) : to remove unwanted things from (a room, closet, etc.)
▪ We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage. [=clearing unwanted items from the garage] ▪ I need to clean out my purse. 2 clean (someone or something) out or clean out (someone or something) informal : to steal or take everything from (someone or something)
▪ The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store. ▪ She fell for the scheme and was cleaned out. [=all her money was taken] 3 clean (someone) out or clean out (someone) informal : to use up all or most of someone's money
▪ Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
▪ We spent the weekend cleaning out the garage. [=clearing unwanted items from the garage] ▪ I need to clean out my purse.
▪ The thieves broke in and cleaned out the store. ▪ She fell for the scheme and was cleaned out. [=all her money was taken]
▪ Buying the house really cleaned us out. Now we're broke.
clean up [phrasal verb] 1 clean (something) up or clean up (something) a : to remove (dirt, spilled substances, etc.)
▪ Would you mind cleaning up the spilled milk? ▪ It will only take a moment to clean this mess up.
b or clean up : to make (a room or space) clean and orderly
▪ Would you mind helping me clean up the kitchen after dinner? ▪ We stayed late to help them clean up. ◊To clean up after someone is to make a place clean after someone has made it dirty or messy.
▪ His mother is always cleaning up after him. ▪ You should learn to clean up after yourself.
c : to remove pollution from (something)
▪ The city has cleaned up the bay in recent years. — see also cleanup 2 clean up or clean (yourself) up : to make yourself clean : to wash your face and hands
▪ I'm sure you'll want to clean up after a full day of traveling. ▪ I just need a few minutes to clean myself up before dinner. ▪ The children are inside getting cleaned up. 3 clean (something) up or clean up (something) a : to remove whatever is illegal or immoral from (something)
▪ The new mayor has really cleaned up city hall. [=has made the city government less corrupt]
b : to make (something) clearer or more acceptable
▪ We were able to clean up the sound on the recording using special equipment. ▪ He's cleaned up his image since his early rock music days. 4 clean (something) up or clean up (something) informal : to eat all of (something)
▪ The teenagers cleaned up [=(more commonly) polished off] the pizza in a matter of minutes. 5 informal : to make a large amount of money
▪ She really cleaned up last year in the stock market. 6 clean up your act informal : to behave in a way that is more acceptable
▪ After years of drug abuse, she finally got treatment and cleaned up her act.
▪ Would you mind cleaning up the spilled milk? ▪ It will only take a moment to clean this mess up.
b or clean up : to make (a room or space) clean and orderly
▪ Would you mind helping me clean up the kitchen after dinner? ▪ We stayed late to help them clean up. ◊To clean up after someone is to make a place clean after someone has made it dirty or messy.
▪ His mother is always cleaning up after him. ▪ You should learn to clean up after yourself.
c : to remove pollution from (something)
▪ The city has cleaned up the bay in recent years. — see also cleanup
▪ I'm sure you'll want to clean up after a full day of traveling. ▪ I just need a few minutes to clean myself up before dinner. ▪ The children are inside getting cleaned up.
▪ The new mayor has really cleaned up city hall. [=has made the city government less corrupt]
b : to make (something) clearer or more acceptable
▪ We were able to clean up the sound on the recording using special equipment. ▪ He's cleaned up his image since his early rock music days.
▪ The teenagers cleaned up [=(more commonly) polished off] the pizza in a matter of minutes.
▪ She really cleaned up last year in the stock market.
▪ After years of drug abuse, she finally got treatment and cleaned up her act.
clean your plate
: to eat all the food on your plate
▪ The children were not allowed to have dessert until they had cleaned their plates. usage cleanse
▪ The children were not allowed to have dessert until they had cleaned their plates. usage cleanse
