clean up their act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clean up their act" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone needs to improve their behavior or performance, often after a period of misconduct or poor performance. Example: "After several complaints from customers, the restaurant realized it needed to clean up its act to retain its clientele."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They'd better clean up their act, become professionals and start acting like policemen," Bryant said.

Los Angeles Times

They need to clean up their act".

The Guardian

Bad people "clean up their act".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

MPs told to clean up their act.

The Washington Post

Food companies have been working to clean up their act.

Independent

No. 1, they have to clean up their act".

The New York Times

It depends if they clean up their act.

The Guardian - Arts

"The banks... want to clean up their act as well.

The Guardian - Business

In this age NO ONE can clean up their act in a full and final way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Accused of offensive, sexist behavior, they have one year to clean up their act.

Stanford University

It sent a team to Bangka to help the illegal smelters clean up their act.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clean up their act" when you want to emphasize a need for significant improvement in behavior or performance, often after a period of misconduct. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "clean up their act" for minor adjustments. This idiom implies a more comprehensive overhaul of behavior or practices, not just a slight course correction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clean up their act" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is used to express the necessity for someone or a group to improve their behavior or performance, often after a period of misbehavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clean up their act" is a widely used idiom that calls for a significant improvement in behavior or performance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to urge accountability. While versatile, it's essential to reserve it for scenarios demanding substantial reform, not mere adjustments. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "improve their conduct". This idiom suggests that things need to change, and probably drastically!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve their behavior

Focuses directly on the need for better conduct.

mend their ways

Suggests a change from bad habits to good ones.

straighten up

Implies a need to become more organized and responsible.

get their act together

Focuses on becoming more efficient and competent.

reform their conduct

Emphasizes a formal and significant change in behavior.

turn over a new leaf

Suggests a fresh start with improved behavior.

correct their mistakes

Focuses on rectifying past errors.

shape up or ship out

Implies a threat of consequences if improvement is not seen.

do better

A simple, direct way of saying someone needs to improve.

get with the program

Focuses on aligning with established rules or expectations.

FAQs

What does it mean to "clean up their act"?

To "clean up their act" means to improve one's behavior or performance, often after a period of misconduct or poor performance.

How can I use "clean up their act" in a sentence?

You might say, "After the scandal, the company needed to "clean up their act" to regain public trust."

What can I say instead of "clean up their act"?

Alternatives include "improve their behavior", "mend their ways", or "get their act together" depending on the context.

Is "clean up their act" formal or informal?

While generally considered an informal idiom, "clean up their act" is widely understood and can be used in various contexts, including news and media. However, in highly formal settings, consider using a more direct alternative like "improve their conduct".