fail to clean up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to clean up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not complete the action of cleaning up after themselves or a situation. Example: "If you fail to clean up after the party, you will be responsible for the mess left behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But Timms warned that tax havens that fail to clean up will face sanctions.

The Guardian

In Barcelona and Madrid, those who fail to clean up after their pets face fines of up to €1,500.

The Guardian

Conscientious dog owners routinely chase down others who break park rules and fail to clean up after their dogs.

The New York Times

Canine DNA is now being used to identify the culprits who fail to clean up after their dogs at two dozen apartment complexes.

The New York Times

"If you fail to clean up the problem and take aggressive action, you are going to have years and years of stagnation as Japan did," he said.

The New York Times

Last year the north-eastern city of Tarragona announced it would use DNA analysis of dog droppings to track down owners who fail to clean up after them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the four African governments say Europe has failed to clean up its own house.

The Guardian - Business

Unlike America, the euro area has failed to clean up its banks or write down unpayable debts.

The Economist

It featured a blacklist of 35 tax havens and threatened measures against jurisdictions that failed to clean up their act.

The Guardian

They have simply failed to clean up their balance-sheets in the way their American peers were forced to do by regulators.

The Economist

It failed to clean up after its asset bubble burst in the early 1990s, preferring to pretend that firms could pay their debts and banks were solvent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to clean up" when you want to emphasize a responsibility or expectation that was not met. For instance: "If the company fails to clean up the pollution, they will face severe fines."

Common error

Avoid using "fail to clean up" when the situation involves an accident or unintentional mess. Instead, use phrases like "didn't clean up" or "forgot to clean up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to clean up" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to perform the action of tidying or resolving a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to clean up" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the neglect of tidying or resolving a problem. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, its usage implies criticism or the outlining of consequences for not meeting responsibilities. While various alternatives exist, such as "neglect to tidy" or "omit to clear", the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the appropriate level of responsibility and context to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect to tidy

Focuses on the act of neglecting or omitting the act of tidying.

neglect to sanitize

Focuses on the act of neglecting or omitting the act of sanitizing a place or something.

omit to clear

Emphasizes the omission of clearing a mess or issue.

not bother tidying

Indicates a lack of effort or willingness to tidy up.

fall short of sanitizing

Highlights the failure to properly sanitize or purify something.

not get around to clearing

Suggests a lack of time or prioritization in clearing a mess.

not manage to tidy

Implies an inability or failure to successfully tidy up.

miss to purify

Stresses the act of missing the purifying of a place or something.

decline to sanitize

Highlights a deliberate refusal to sanitize something.

refrain from tidying

Focuses on a conscious decision to not tidy.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to clean up" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to clean up" to indicate a failure to tidy a mess or resolve a problem. For example, "The government will impose sanctions if the company "fails to clean up" the contaminated site."

What is an alternative to "fail to clean up"?

Alternatives include "neglect to tidy", "omit to clear", or "not bother tidying", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "fail to clean up"?

To "fail to clean up" means to not adequately address a mess, problem, or undesirable situation that one has a responsibility to resolve. It implies a lack of action or a failure to meet expectations.

Is it appropriate to use "fail to clean up" in formal writing?

Yes, "fail to clean up" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing responsibilities, consequences, or official actions. However, consider the specific context and choose the most precise and appropriate phrasing.