tidy them up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tidy them up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to organize or clean something, often referring to physical items or tasks that need to be arranged neatly. Example: "After the meeting, please tidy them up before leaving the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Such passages were often censured by Dr Johnson, who then attempted to tidy them up.

The Guardian - Books

I remembered my mother trying to tidy them up, time and time again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some varieties have well-coloured autumn foliage, so don't be in too much of a hurry to tidy them up.

Independent

Artists will extract portions of the story, tidy them up, set them to pop or hip hop or classical music, then allow radio stations to play it to death.

The Washington Post

"What we have been saying [to different industries] is we think these areas are problematic, why don't you tidy them up before the law comes into play," Schaper said.

The Guardian

On the other hand, coming home on a crowded train, I noticed how the non-Libs would festoon the empty seat next to them with coats, bags and papers, to discourage newcomers, whereas the Liberals would tidy them up, to make it clear that the seat was free.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I don't speak German, but I've put them through Googe Translate and then tidied them up.

The Guardian

Punctuating those lines and tidying them up, and doing the same to the thousands of other similar lines of Clare, would surely do no harm; or would it?

The New Yorker

Hawkey spotted Deighton's scribbled recipes in his kitchen, "tidied them up, advised me about the graphics and took them to the Observer," Deighton recalled.

The Guardian - Arts

The cynic in me wondered if these struggles had really ended as neatly as the book suggests, or whether the Gores had tidied them up, consciously or not, for political consumption, to make some uplifting argument and to humanize a candidate widely scorned for not being human enough.

The New York Times - Books

"It's the third time we've played Castleford this year and that's happened which is disappointing". Castleford head coach Daryl Powell: "There were a couple of scrappy sets in there but once we tidied them up we put them under a lot of pressure.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tidy them up", ensure the context is clear. Specify what "them" refers to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "tidy them up", say "tidy up the toys".

Common error

Avoid using "tidy them up" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "organize" or "arrange" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "tidy them up" functions as a directive, instructing someone to organize or clean a specific set of items. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and common in everyday language. The phrase includes a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (them).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tidy them up" is a common and generally correct phrasal verb used to instruct someone to organize or clean a set of items. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and common usage. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations and writings, consider more formal alternatives like "organize" or "arrange" in professional or academic contexts. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what "them" refers to. Examples can be found on Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean them up

Focuses more on removing dirt or mess, while "tidy them up" can also imply organization.

neaten them up

A more general term for making something tidier and more presentable.

organize them

Emphasizes arrangement and order, potentially less focused on cleanliness.

put them in order

Focuses on the act of arranging items systematically.

arrange them neatly

More specific, highlighting careful placement for aesthetic purposes.

straighten them up

Suggests correcting a disordered state, emphasizing alignment and neatness.

sort them out

Implies a process of classifying and organizing items.

spruce them up

Implies improving the appearance, often through cleaning or small improvements.

fix them up

Suggests repairing or improving something, not just tidying.

groom them

Specifically refers to cleaning and tidying for appearance, more often used for living things.

FAQs

What does "tidy them up" mean?

The phrase "tidy them up" means to organize or clean a group of items, making them neater and more presentable.

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

You can use it like this: "Before the guests arrive, please "clean them up" and "tidy them up"."

What's a more formal way to say "tidy them up"?

In more formal contexts, you could say "organize them" or "arrange them neatly".

Is "tidy them up" suitable for all types of writing?

While "tidy them up" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for academic papers or professional reports. Consider using more formal alternatives in those contexts.