tidy it up

USAGE SUMMARY

"tidy it up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of organizing or putting things in order. It can also refer to cleaning or straightening up a space or object. Example: "My desk is a mess, I need to tidy it up before I can start working."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Don't tidy it up".

The Guardian - Books

So this thing is let's just tidy it up.

Yale University

If he used a sleeping bag, he'd tidy it up.

The New York Times - Arts

She makes the questionable decision to tidy it up.

The Guardian - Film

Can he tidy it up neatly and decisively.

The Guardian

Being able to see the mess and not have to tidy it up right this minute.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Whatever your wife's protestations, tidying it up will make her less stressed not more.

The Times

That's because we have tidied it up in our minds and put it away.

The Guardian - Opinion

I make the mess, Carolyn tidies it up.' Does Carolyn agree?

The Guardian - Music

I've used Google Translate and tidied it up a bit.

The Guardian

Schilling's locker looks as if he tidied it up with a hand grenade.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task that involves both cleaning and organizing a space or item, "tidy it up" can be more appropriate than only using "clean it up".

Common error

While "tidy it up" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal documents or professional reports where a more precise term like "organize", "arrange", or "streamline" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tidy it up" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "tidy" with the particle "up" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning, indicating the act of making something neater or more organized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tidy it up" functions as a common phrasal verb that means to make something neater or more organized. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral to informal register. When writing, use "tidy it up" to improve the overall neatness of something and avoid overusing it in highly formal documents. Consider alternatives such as "clean it up", "organize it", or "arrange it" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean it up

Focuses more on removing dirt or mess, while "tidy it up" implies more general organization.

straighten it up

Emphasizes making something straight or orderly, rather than necessarily clean.

neaten it up

Similar to "tidy it up" but can imply a more superficial level of organization.

organize it

Focuses specifically on arranging items in a structured way.

spruce it up

Implies making something more attractive or presentable, not just neater.

fix it up

Suggests repairing or improving something, which may include tidying.

declutter it

Specifically refers to removing unnecessary items to create more space.

arrange it

Focuses on the specific way items are placed.

put in order

Emphasizes the act of organizing, more formal tone.

sanitize it

Focuses only on hygiene and cleanliness and not necessary organization.

FAQs

What does "tidy it up" mean?

"Tidy it up" means to make something neater, more organized, or cleaner. It implies improving the overall appearance and order of a space or object.

How can I use "tidy it up" in a sentence?

You can use "tidy it up" in sentences like: "I need to "clean it up" before guests arrive", or "Could you please "neaten it up" when you're finished using the tools?"

What are some alternatives to saying "tidy it up"?

Some alternatives to "tidy it up" include "clean it up", "organize it", "neaten it up", or "straighten it up", depending on the specific context.

Is "tidy it up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "tidy it up" is widely understood, it may be more appropriate to use alternatives like "organize it" or "arrange it" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.