Clean up after Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkɫin/ /ˈəp/ /ˈæftɝ

KLEEN-UP AF-ter

UK

klˈiːn/ /ˈʌp/ /ˈɑːftɐ

kleen-UP AHF-tuh

Definition

To remove mess or tidy up after someone else has made things dirty or disorderly.

Usage & Nuances

Often used for parents or pet owners tidying after children or animals. Can imply responsibility for others' mess. Common collocation: 'clean up after yourself' (be responsible for your own mess). Usually informal and spoken.

• Spanish: limpiar después de - recoger después de (alguien)
• Portuguese (BR): limpar depois de - arrumar depois de (alguém)
• Portuguese (PT): limpar depois de - arrumar depois de (alguém)
• Chinese (Simplified): 为……收拾 - 替……打扫
• Chinese (Traditional): 為……收拾 - 替……打掃
• Hindi: के बाद साफ़ करना
• Arabic: تنظيف بعد (شخص ما)
• Bengali: পেছনে পরিষ্কার করা - কারও পরে গুছিয়ে রাখা
• Russian: убирать за - приводить в порядок после (кого-то)
• Japanese: 後片付けをする - （人）の後始末をする
• Vietnamese: dọn dẹp sau khi (ai đó) - dọn dẹp cho
• Korean: 뒷정리를 하다 - (남의) 뒤를 치우다
• Turkish: birinin arkasını toplamak - birinin ardından temizlemek
• Urdu: کسی کے بعد صفائی کرنا
• Indonesian: membereskan setelah (seseorang) - membersihkan bekas (seseorang)

Example Sentences

Parents often have to clean up after their children.

basic

Please clean up after yourself in the kitchen.

basic

Dog owners must clean up after their pets in the park.

basic

I'm tired of always having to clean up after my roommates.

natural

If you throw a party, be sure to clean up after everyone leaves.

natural

Why do I always have to clean up after you?

natural