mop-up

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
: a concluding action or phase

mop up

2 of 2

verb

mopped up; mopping up; mops up

transitive verb

1
British : to consume eagerly
2
: to gather as if by absorbing
also : garner
mopped up all the awards
3
: to overcome decisively : trounce
4
: to clear (an area) of remaining pockets of resistance in the wake of a military offensive

intransitive verb

: to complete a project, transaction, or task

Examples of mop-up in a Sentence

Noun the general announced that the remaining fighting would be only a mop-up to a war that was all but over
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The veteran Brubaker had been working as a long/mop-up man in the Yankees’ bullpen. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025 Rioux enters his redshirt freshman season with the Gators pushing to even get on the court during mop-up time when games are decided. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Verb
Versace’s bloodbath is almost as bad at 21.2%, with Burberry having slightly less to mop up at 17%. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Crews were slated to remain on scene for mop up, authorities added. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mop-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mop-up was circa 1811

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mop-up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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