Pick up after Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɪk/ /ˈəp/ /ˈæftɝ
PIK-UHP-AF-ter
pˈɪk/ /ˈʌp/ /ˈɑːftɐ
PIK-UP-AHF-tuh
Definition
To clean up things that someone else has left behind or made messy. Commonly used when talking about clearing someone else's mess or organizing after them.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal, used for home, pets, or children. Common with 'kids', 'dogs', 'roommates'. Not literal 'pick up'—means cleaning or tidying after someone. Often about unwanted responsibility.
Spanish: recoger lo que deja (alguien) - limpiar tras (alguien)Portuguese (BR): limpar a bagunça de - juntar o que alguém deixouPortuguese (PT): limpar a confusão de - apanhar o que alguém deixouChinese (Simplified): 帮...收拾 - 替...打扫Chinese (Traditional): 幫...收拾 - 替...打掃Hindi: किसी के पीछे साफ़ करनाArabic: ينظف وراء (شخص) - يجمع ما تركه (شخص)Bengali: পেছন থেকে পরিষ্কার করা - অন্যের গণ্ডগোল গুছিয়ে নেওয়াRussian: убирать за (кем-то)Japanese: 後片付けをする - 誰かの後始末をするVietnamese: dọn dẹp sau khi ai đó làm bừaKorean: 뒤치다꺼리하다 - (남이 어질러놓은 것을) 치우다Turkish: arkasından toplamak - birinin dağınıklığını temizlemekUrdu: کسی کے پیچھے صفائی کرناIndonesian: beres-bereskan setelah (orang lain) - membereskan bekas orang lain
Example Sentences
I always have to pick up after my little brother.
basic
Please pick up after yourself when you finish eating.
basic
Do you always have to pick up after your dog at the park?
basic
I'm tired of picking up after everyone in this house.
natural
She never picks up after herself, so the kitchen is always a mess.
natural
If you had to pick up after teenagers, you'd understand my frustration.
natural