clean up after
phrase
: to make a place clean after it has been left dirty or messy by (someone)
His mother is always cleaning up after him.
You should learn to clean up after yourself.
Cite this Entry
“Clean up after.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clean%20up%20after. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
